There are 15 bat species native to Washington. The Townsend's big-eared bat is one of our rarest Puget Sound bats. They are very dependent on caves, where they hibernate and raise their young. This bat is extremely sensitive to human disturbance - entire established colonies have disappeared following disturbance. Spotted Bat Euderma maculatum Bats are the only flying mammals.
Bats are extremely beneficial because they eat enormous numbers of insects.
The numbers of bats have decreased because of disturbances to their colonies while they are hibernating and when mothers are nursing offspring. All rights reserved.