Bats in North Carolina

There are 17 species of bats native to North Carolina. The most common species across the state are the Tricolored Bat, the Big Brown Bat, and the Eastern Red Bat. The largest bat in North Carolina is the Hoary Bat, with a wingspan of around 13-16 inches, while the smallest bat is the Tricolored Bat, with a wingspan between 8 and 10 inches.

Different Types of Bats in North Carolina

Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae)

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

Big Brown Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Eastern Small-footed Myotis
Evening Bat
Gray Bat
Hoary Bat
Indiana Bat
Little Brown Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
Northern Yellow Bat
Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
Seminole Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Southeastern Myotis
Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Tricolored Bat

Places To Go Bat Watching in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to the largest granite fissure in the entire continent, the Bat Cave. It is home to several species of bats, like the endangered Indiana Bat.

FAQ

1. Are bats protected in North Carolina?

All the bats living in North Carolina are classified as “nongame,” there is no season to hunt them, and it is illegal to kill them as pests.

2. Do bats hibernate in North Carolina?

Some bats, like the Evening Bat, the Tricolored Bat, and the Northern Long-eared Bat, hibernate in North Carolina caves, while others, like the Hoary Bat and the Eastern Red Bat, will migrate out of the state.

3. Are bats in North Carolina dangerous?

While bats are not directly harmful to humans, they are also one of the most common carriers of rabies.