This is the most widespread of all of our North American bats, occuring in all states except Alaska. It is closely associated with trees and can be found in Arizona in most wooded areas throughout the state in the summertime. At lower elevations, it appears to be restricted to riparian areas. Hoary bats are migratory in other parts of their range, but it is unclear when and where hoary bats in Arizona migrate. A solitary bat, the hoary bat may be found roosting singly in the foliage of trees during the day.
Hoary bats are open air predators with a swift and direct flight pattern.
They emerge late in the evening to feed on moths which they prefer, but also beetles, wasps, grasshoppers, and even other small bats. It is unknown if the young hoary bats are born in Arizona. They are very similar to, but larger than the Silver-haired bats. These are also solitary bats, roosting on the outside of trees during the day. They have long, thick brown fur with a cinnamon to blond mane around their head.