Bats in Oklahoma

There are 23 species of bats that are native to Oklahoma. Besides these bats, two subspecies of the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat – the Ozark’s Big-eared Bat and the Western Big-eared Bat – can also be found here. The Big Brown and Mexican Free-tailed Bats are the most common species of bat in the state, and the latter is notable as it was adopted as the state mammal of Oklahoma in 2006.

Different Types of Bats in Oklahoma

Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae)

Big Free-tailed Bat
Mexican Free-tailed Bat
Western Mastiff Bat

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

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

Places To Go Bat Watching in Oklahoma

The Selman Bat Cave near Freedom is home to a colony of Mexican Free-tailed Bats. There used to be a bat watching program, but it has been paused.

FAQ

1. Are there any endangered bats in Oklahoma?

Yes, the Indiana Bat and the Gray Bat are both listed as endangered at the state and federal levels. A subspecies of the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat – the Ozark’s Big-eared Bat – is also considered to be endangered.

2. Do bats in Oklahoma migrate?

Some bats, like the Gray Bats, will migrate to caves in Arkansas and Missouri to hibernate.

3. Is it illegal to kill bats in Oklahoma?

As per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other state agencies, it is against the law in Oklahoma for people to kill or hurt bats.