Biologists have spotted this bat in south-western Missouri. Although, there are no known inhabited caves found in this area, they have been found in northwest and central Arkansas. Hibernating bats stay still to store energy. When they are disturbed, much of the energy is consumed. One disturbance can use up as much energy as a bat saves in two weeks of hibernation.
Food is scarce and often times the bats die.
Another threat is habitat destruction. Currently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Endangered Species Program is protecting and restoring the Ozark big-eared bat to ensure that extinction does not occur. Works Cited Figg, D. E. 1987. Missouri Department of Conservation. Harvey, Michael J. Bats of the Eastern United States.