Bats in Alaska

Bats are rare in Alaska, with the only ones in the state being vesper bats. Alaska has only seven species, with the Little Brown Bat being the most common. Unlike the rest of the country, Alaskan bats tend to roost and hibernate in crevices instead of big caves. Most bat sightings have been in the southeast part of the state.

Different Types of Bats in Alaska

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

• California Myotis
• Keen’s Myotis
• Little Brown Bat
• Long-legged Myotis
• Silvered-haired Bat
• Hoary Bat
• Yuma Myotis

Places To Go Bat Watching in Alaska

One of the best places to see bats in the state is Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. However, not directly interacting with them is extremely important as bats are a vector for several transmissible diseases. Only researchers with several shots and protective gear interact with the bats of the park.

The Little Brown Bat is the most common in this park. Besides it, the Keen’s Myotis has also been spotted here. While the screeches of the Silvered-haired Bat have been recorded and identified in Klondike, a specimen has yet to be captured and confirmed.

Besides this park, the Little Brown Bat flies around Pullen Pond in Skagway at night, where the environment around the pond is not too distressing for the bats to hunt insects. They have also been seen north of Fairbanks.

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