Bats are present throughout Oklahoma, contributing to the state’s diverse wildlife. Over 20 different bat species call Oklahoma home, making them a widespread and often unseen part of the natural landscape. These nocturnal mammals occupy various environments across the state, from urban areas to expansive forests and prairies. Understanding their presence and habits can help people appreciate their role in local ecosystems.
Identifying Oklahoma’s Bat Species
Oklahoma hosts a variety of bat species, each with distinct characteristics. The Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Oklahoma’s state flying mammal, is a common and fast flyer, utilizing echolocation for navigation and hunting. These bats often form large maternity colonies, such as the significant population found at Selman Bat Cave. The Big Brown Bat is identifiable by its larger size (around a 12-inch wingspan) and brown fur with black ears and wings.
The Little Brown Bat, despite its name, is a smaller species with glossy brown fur and a 10-inch wingspan. It eats up to a thousand mosquito-sized insects in a single night. The Eastern Red Bat is recognized by its reddish fur and ability to camouflage itself among tree leaves, sometimes moving to the forest floor during colder temperatures. The Hoary Bat, one of North America’s larger bats, has distinctive brown fur tipped with grayish-white, and it roosts solitarily in trees.
Habitats and Ecological Roles
Oklahoma’s bats inhabit a variety of environments, adapting to different structures for shelter. Many species roost in natural formations like caves, rock crevices, and tree cavities, including behind loose bark or within dense foliage. They also use human-made structures such as old buildings, attics, bridges, and even woodpiles. These roosting sites provide protection from predators and the elements during daylight hours.
All bat species found in Oklahoma are insectivores. This positions them as natural pest control agents, consuming vast quantities of night-flying insects like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. Their feeding habits provide a substantial benefit to agriculture, with studies estimating that bats save over one billion dollars annually in crop damage and pesticide costs for the United States corn industry alone. Their presence helps maintain ecological balance by regulating insect populations.
Coexisting with Bats
Interacting with bats requires caution, as they can carry diseases like rabies. Approximately 8.1% of tested bats average positive for rabies. A bat that is active during the day, found in an unusual location like indoors, or appears unable to fly may be ill. If a person has direct contact with a bat, or wakes to find a bat in their room, immediate medical advice should be sought, and the bat should ideally be captured for rabies testing.
To prevent bats from entering homes, sealing small openings is effective; any hole larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch should be caulked. Common entry points include gable vents, unscreened chimneys, and gaps in siding. Bat-proofing a home is best done in the fall or winter to avoid trapping young, flightless bats inside. If a bat is found inside a living space without known contact, it can often be guided out by confining it to a single room and opening a window or door to the outside.
For situations requiring bat removal from a structure, professional wildlife control services are recommended. These professionals use humane methods, such as one-way exclusion devices, which allow bats to exit but prevent their re-entry. Avoid removing bats during their maternity season, typically from May to August, as young bats cannot fly and would be stranded without their mothers. Providing alternative roosting sites, such as bat houses, can also encourage bats to remain in an area for natural pest control benefits.