There are 26 known bat species in California including the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), and California’s state bat the pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus). They can be found in diverse landscapes ranging from forests to deserts to rural, suburban and urban environments. Most species eat insects and a single bat can eat thousands each night (up to 100% of their body weight). Some species eat nectar or fruit.
Bats provide valuable ecosystem services, such as nutrient dispersal and “pest control” (insects) that naturally protect crops and benefit California’s agricultural economy. In the U.S., bats contribute approximately $3.7 billion worth of insect control for farmers each year!