Bats in Wyoming

Wyoming is home to 18 different species of bats. The Hoary Bat, one of the most common bats in the state that people are likely to encounter, is also the largest, with a wingspan of 13-16 inches. Other notable species seen here include the Pallid Bat, the Northern Long-eared Bat, and the Townsend’s Big-eared Bat.

The various bats living in the state are at risk, though. With an uptick in White-nose Syndrome, a disease that infects hibernating bats and can be fatal, the number of bats recorded in various hibernating sites or “hibernacula” continues to decrease each year.

Different Types of Bats in Wyoming

Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae)

Big Free-tailed Bat
Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

Big Brown Bat
California Myotis
Eastern Red Bat
Fringed Myotis
Hoary Bat
Little Brown Bat
Long-eared Myotis
Long-legged Myotis
Northern Long-eared Bat
Pallid Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Spotted Bat
Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Tricolored Bat
Western Small-footed Myotis
Yuma Myotis

Places To Go Bat Watching in Wyoming

The famous Yellowstone National Park is one of Wyoming’s best places to see bats. All the Vesper bat species recorded in the state have been seen here, with the Little Brown Bat being the most common and the California Myotis being the least seen.

Also worth mentioning is Shirley Mountain in Carbon County, the largest hibernacula in the state, with around 75 bats of 5 different species recorded. Townsend’s Big-eared Bats have also been spotted in Tongue River Cave in Bighorn National Forest.

FAQ

1. Do bats in Wyoming hibernate or migrate during winter?

Most of the bats in Wyoming stay in the state and hibernate in caves, though their exact locations are yet to be discovered. However, some, like the Hoary Bat, will migrate to Central or South America when it gets colder.

2. Are bats in Wyoming under protection by law?

Yes, every single bat recorded in the state is under legal protection. This is due to the slow reproduction rates of the various species, with even a single death leading to a dent in the population.