Summary ⁵

The big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) is a bat species found in South, North and Central America. They have a wingspan of 435 mm and an average length of 140 mm. This bat frequents rocky or canyon country where it roosts in crevices. This migratory species is a swift, powerful flier, and occasional individuals wander as far north as Canada. Little is known of mortality and longevity. Breeding probably occurs in midwinter while the species is...

Description ⁶

The big free-tailed bat has long, narrow, tapering wings. The length and shape of the wings give it speed and enable it to fly long distances, but its flight is not as maneuverable as that of bats with shorter, broader wings. These bats live in rugged habitats in the Southwest in the summer and migrate to Mexico in the winter. When they are foraging, they emit echolocation calls that sound like clicks to human ears. Most bats use calls that are beyond the range of human hearing. The bats forage, mostly for large moths, in total darkness, not leaving their day roosts until well after sunset. Their tails extend well beyond the tail membrane (uropatagium), the membrane that stretches between the hind legs.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account

Sources and Credits

1. (c) lasionycteris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by lasionycteris
2. (c) Phil Myers, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/phil_myers/ADW_mammals/specimens/Chiroptera/Molossidae/Nyctinomops_macrotis/utr6354/medium.jpg
3. (c) Phil Myers, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/phil_myers/ADW_mammals/specimens/Chiroptera/Molossidae/Nyctinomops_macrotis/ventral6353/medium.jpg
4. (c) Cabrillo National Monument, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Cabrillo National Monument
5. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyctinomops_macrotis
6. (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/6625245

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• AMNH Bats of the World
• Animal Diversity Web
• ASM Mammal Diversity Database
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CalPhotos
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• iNaturalist Mammal Working Group
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• VertNet

Range Map

(c) Discover Life and original sources, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC-SA)

iNat Map