Desert red bat

For the fictional character, see The Red Bat.

Desert ree bat
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Vespertilionidae
Genus:	Lasiurus
Species:	L. blossevillii
Binomial name
Lasiurus blossevillii (Lesson and Garnot, 1826)

The desert red bat, (Lasiurus blossevillii) also known as the Western Red Bat, is one of many species of bats. This particular one is from the Vespertilionidae family which is the largest family. It includes 35 genera and 318 species. It is also known as the evening bat family. See also Western bats which are relative species.

Habitat

The desert red bat has been found around North America, ranging from southern Canada down to Central America and to the northern part of South America. These bats are similar to birds. They migrate to the southern parts of the world when it gets cold and head north when the weather starts to warm up in northern hemispheres of the world. Most people would think that the Desert Red Bat would live in the desert but it does not. The bats will most likely be found in the forest roosting under leaves. They do this because they are either trying to eat or hide from predators. The bats hang upside down from a tree branch from one foot because they are trying to blend in with their surroundings, such as dead leaves. Another myth that people assume is that bats will be found in caves or dark holes. This is not true for the Desert Bat. They do not live there because it is neither warm nor dry. Caves are wet and cool. The Desert Bat is not like any other bat because it does not have the same characteristics as a normal bat.

Diet and hunting

The Desert Bat eats a variety of insects. They eat moths, flies, true bugs, beetles, and cicadas. Normally the bat does not come out during the day, they are called nocturnal. Therefore, they come out during the night and hunt. They do not use their eyes to hunt, they use their voices to make echoes and the echoes help them make pictures in their minds about what is around. The only things that they have to be aware of are their enemies which are owls, blue jays, and opossum.

Reproduction

The Bats mate during August and September. The female can have one to four pups at a time. The pups stay in their mother’s body for about 90 days then they are born. Before the bats are able to fly the mother carries up to four pups at a time. It takes up to six weeks for the bats to fly by themselves and one to three years to mature.

Warnings

Interesting facts

Male and female Red bats have different migrating routines. Female bats are usually found in warmer climates during the month of June. Males are mostly found in the Appalachian Highlands. Due to the difference in migrating patterns, it makes it harder for them to breed because they are constantly in a different part of the world.

References

• Arizona Game and Fish species account-Western Red Bat
• Arroyo-Cabrales, J., Miller, B., Reid, F., Cuarón, A.D. & de Grammont, P.C. (2008). "Lasiurus blossevillii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/11346. Retrieved 07 February 2010. 

External links

• Information about the red bat from Bat Conservation International
• Picture of a red bat, along with information
• Western Red Bat
• More accurate information on Western Red Bats from the Western Bat Working Group website