What is the Virginia State bat?

What is the Virginia State bat?

Virginia Big-eared Bat
The Virginia Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) is Virginia’s state bat, and is considered federally and state endangered.

What is the most common bat in Virginia caves?

The Big Brown Bat and the Little Brown Bat are the species more likely observed by Virginians. The Virginia Big-eared Bat is the state bat of the Commonwealth. Cave bats generally give birth to only one “pup” per year, and tree bats generally give birth to two or more “pups” per year.

What kind of bat has big ears?

Townsend’s big-eared bats
Townsend’s big-eared bats, previously called lump-nosed bats, are a medium-sized bat with very long ears. Their fur is pale gray or brown above and buff colored on the underside. This bat’s ears are enormous, reaching a length of 38 mm. When the ears are laid back they extend to the middle of its body.

How long does a Virginia big-eared bat live?

Some individuals live for 15 to 20 years. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is gathering data on the Virginia big-eared bat, which faces extinction because of habitat destruction and disturbances at cave roost sites in Avery, Watauga, Yancey counties in N.C. and Carter and Johnson counties, Tennessee.

How many Virginia big-eared bats are there?

There are about 20,000 left and most of them can be found in West Virginia. The Virginia Big-Eared Bat is the state bat of Virginia.

Why is the Virginia big-eared bat endangered?

Threats: The major causes of the species’ decline are loss of habitat, vandalism, and increased human visitation to maternity roosts and hibernacula. Virginia big-eared bats are extremely sensitive to human disturbance.

How many Ozark big-eared bats are there?

1,800 individual bats
The current range of the Ozark big- eared bat includes the Ozark Highlands and Boston Mountains ecoregions of northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern and north-central Arkansas. The population is estimated to currently consist of about 1,800 individual bats. The Ozark big-eared bat inhabits caves year-round.

What do big-eared bats eat?

moths
Big-eared bats principally feed on moths but eat other insects as well.

What is the largest bat in Virginia?

Virginia Big-Eared Bat
In 1979, the US Fish and Wildlife Service categorized this as an endangered species. There are about 20,000 left and most of them can be found in West Virginia. The Virginia Big-Eared Bat is the state bat of Virginia….

What does a big-eared bat eat?

The Ozark big-eared bat typically forages in edge and forested habitats. They primarily feed on moths, but also are known to eat beetles and other flying insects.