Meet the Eastern Red Bat

The Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) is a small winged mammal found in the eastern part of the United States and throughout Maryland. They are our most common tree bat here in Maryland, and the males are distinctively red or orange so they are easy to spot at dusk. These tiny bats can reach crazy speeds when flying, up to 40 miles per hour. 😯 Bats use echolocation to hunt and to navigate the air due to their very limited vision.The Eastern Red Bat’s diet consists insects like moths, crickets, mosquitos, and flies. In the summer, Eastern Red Bats solitarily roost in the leaves of trees, and in the winter, they will either migrate south or perhaps most fascinatingly - go through a period of inactivity. During this resting period, called torpor, the bats will seek out fallen leaves and leaf litter and hollow trees for shelter. Similar to hibernation, torpor allows the bats to survive the cold temperatures of winter. The Eastern Red Bats are listed as “species of greatest conservation need,” so as a citizen, you can help the species by keeping leaves in your yard and gathering them together to help these winged friends find shelter. To learn more about the Eastern Red Bat, visit: www.chesapeakebay.net/discover/field-guide/entry/eastern-red-bat-red-bat

This Wildlife Wednesday is written by Zander Hine, student board member