Bats in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 9 bat species that are native to it. The Big Brown Bat is the most common and frequently enters human habitations to take shelter or roost. The Little Common Bat was also commonly seen here, but its population has drastically dropped to the point where it is now globally endangered and a rarer sight nowadays.

Different Types of Bats in Pennsylvania

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

Big Brown Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Eastern Small-footed Myotis
Hoary Bat
Indiana Bat
Little Brown Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Tricolored Bat

Places To Go Bat Watching in Pennsylvania

Some of the most notable places to go bat watching in Pennsylvania include Hartmann’s Cave in Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Frank Felbaum Bat Sanctuary in Canoe Creek State Park. The former is home to the Big Brown Bat, the Tricolored Bat, and the Northern Long-eared Bat, while the latter is home to a colony of Little Brown Bats.

FAQ

1. Are bats protected in Pennsylvania?

Bats are classified as non-game species and cannot be killed while flying or hibernating. The Northern Long-eared and Indiana Bats are classified as endangered and threatened on a federal level and require added protective measures.

2. When do bats hibernate in Pennsylvania?

Bats begin to hibernate around October and only emerge around the middle of April.

3. Are there vampire bats in Pennsylvania?

Despite some common misconceptions, no vampire bats or any type of bat feeds on human blood in Pennsylvania. Bats do not harm humans and will only hunt insects for food.