Illinois’ thirteen bat species


Illinois is home to 13 bat species.  While all of the species feed on insects, they have a wide range of habitats, over-wintering behaviors, and prey preferences.

Scientific name                          Common name  (acronym)

Myotis lucifugus                        little brown bat (MYLU)
Myotis sodalis                            Indiana bat (MYSO)
Myotis austroriparius               southeastern myotis (MYAU)
Myotis grisescens                      gray bat (MYGR)
Myotis septentrionalis              northern long-eared bat (MYSE)
Myotis leibi                                 eastern small-footed myotis (MYLE)
Lasionycteris noctivagans        silver-haired bat (LANO)
Perimyotis subflavus                 tri-colored bat (PESU)
Eptesicus fuscus                         big brown bat (EPFU)
Lasiurus borealis                        eastern red bat (LABO)
Lasiurus cinereus                       hoary bat (LACI)
Nycticeius humeralis                 evening bat (NYHU)
Corynorhinus rafinesquii          Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (CORA)

The best Illinois-focused resources for learning more about our bats are:

Feldhamer, George A., Hoffmann, Joyce E., Carter, Timothy C. and Kath, Joseph A. 2015. Bats of Illinois. Indiana State University
Hofmann, Joyce Ellen. 2008. Field manual of Illinois mammals. Illinois Natural History Survey.
Hoffmeister, Donald F. 2002. Mammals of Illinois. University of Illinois Press.
IDNR Illinois bats