Bats are extremely misunderstood creatures and are often regarded as revolting or dirty. But, in reality they are vital parts of nature and are generally pretty adorable if you can spot them in the dark. So, I have compiled a list of the top 10 cutest bats with accompanying fun facts!
10. Little Brown Bat.
These adorable little guys can be found across almost the entirety of the United States, some parts of Canada, as well as high-elevation forests in Mexico. They live in massive colonies and are not territorial.Â
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Bats/Little-Brown-Bat
9. Straw-Colored Fruit Bat.
Now despite their name, they’re not entirely straw colored. These fascinating critters can be found on the continent of Africa, in the forest and savannah zones. They can also be found across the Southwestern Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar.
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Eidolon_helvum
8. Silver-Haired Bats.
Our gorgeous little friends, known as the Silver-Haired Bats, live in the forested areas of America. They make their homes in tree cavities and small hollows during maternity season, although during that time they move around a lot.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/lasionycteris-noctivagans
7. The Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox.
These gentle giants can be spotted only in the Philippines, where they are widespread except for the Batanes and Babuyan Island groups. They primarily eat figs and are largely considered to be the biggest bat species in the world.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/acerodon-jubatus
6. Eastern Red Bat.
Easily mistaken for pinecones, these clever little critters can be found anywhere East of the Rocky Mountains to Florida (as well as some parts of Canada). These areas must have forests for them to live in. Despite their distinct color, they’re very difficult to spot when roosting.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/lasiurus-borealis
5. Honduran White Bat.
Tiny and very squishable, these little bats make homes in little tents that they make out of leaves. They can only be found in Central America, spread out across numerous ranges. They live in very small groups compared to many other bat species, with only two to fifteen to a leaf tent.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/ectophylla-alba-2
4. Spotted Bat.
With their giant ears, it’s impossible to mistake these distinguished mammals from any other. They can be found in Central Western Northern America, Southern British Columbia and Northern Mexico. Within such an expansive range, they appear to exclusively eat moths, but there isn’t much known about them.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/euderma-maculatum
3. Cave Myotis.
These social-dependent creatures form massive nursery colonies in all sorts of places throughout the Southwest of the United States. They spend their hunting time feasting an extremely wide range of insects, including but not limited to weevils, flying ants and moths.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/myotis-velifer
2. Mexican Long-Tongued Bat.
While they may be a little silly looking, their long muzzles are vital to their survival. They have extremely long tongues that allow them to slurp up nectar and pollen from agave or cactus blossoms. But they won’t turn down a snack at a hummingbird feeder either.
https://www.batcon.org/bat/choeronycteris-mexicana
1. Grey-Headed Flying Fox.
Big eyes and bigger wings makes these magnificent specimens the number 1 cutest bat. They feast on nectar, pollen, fruits, and the occasional leaf. Their diet makes them vital to the pollination of plants and the spreading of seeds. They also live in massive groups called “camps.”
https://www.batcon.org/bat/pteropus-poliocephalus
All of the information for the bat fun facts were sourced from Bat Conservation International: https://www.batcon.org/ , National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/ and Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/ . Please check them all out to learn more about our spooky little friends!