Creature Feature: Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

Photo Source: Bat Conservation International

In the United States, there are more than 40 species of bats that grace our skies every evening! One of the most prominent bats in the United States is the Mexican free-tailed bat, which is also the state bat of Texas.

The Mexican free-tailed bat is native to North, Central, and South America. This species is one of the most abundant in the world. This small but mighty bat weighs an average of only 12 grams! These bats have short, dense medium-brown fur, large round ears, and a tail that extends far past their tail membrane, giving them a notably long tail. Their bodies are about nine to 11 centimeters long, and they have a wingspan of 24 to 30 centimeters. In the wild, these bats average a lifespan of eight to 18 years!

Source: Bat Conservation International

Located outside of San Antonio, the Bracken Cave Preserve is home to the world’s largest bat colony with over 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats. This is known as a key maternity site for this species, and females from all over the area meet here to give birth and raise their pups here every year.

Mexican free-tailed bats live in a variety of habitats, but they are most often observed in caves, under bridges, and culverts. In North America, these bats are migratory creatures that seasonally move from the central and southern United States down to Mexico. The females tend to stick around their maternity colonies in the summer while the males roost together in small “bachelor” colonies.

This bat species plays a significant role when it comes to pest control. The Mexican free-tailed bat is an insectivore who primarily feeds on moths and preys on other flying insects such as beetles, flies, true bugs and ants. These bats are essential for controlling the population of the corn earworm moth, as it is estimated that the colony can consume over 100 tons of these moths during a singular summer night. With support from the Mexican-free tailed bats, farmers may require less pesticides to protect their crops in the summer.