Western red bat
The western red bat or desert red bat ("Lasiurus frantzii") is a species of microbat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in western North America and Central America. Taxonomy. Previously, it was believed to be a subspecies of the southern red bat ("Lasiurus blossevillii"), and was called "Lasiurus blossevillii teliotis" (abbreviated "L. b. teliotis"). Distribution and habitat. The western red bat is found across western North America, ranging from southern Canada, through the western United States, down to Central America. The species has been recorded in Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua , Panama, and the United States. This species, along with most other "Lasiurus", is a migratory species. It migrates to the southern parts of the Americas in the winter, and migrates north in the summer. "Lasiurus frantzii" is most often found in tree foliage, as are most species in the genus "Lasiurus", and is a solitary species. The common name implies that the desert red bat lives in the desert, but they actually hibernate under leaves in forests. Their coat color especially helps them camouflage with dead leaves. Reproduction. Unlike most bats, which bear only one pup per season, the western  red bat can give birth to as many as four pups at once. To compensate for larger litters, desert red bats have four nipples rather than two. The bats mate during August and September. Pups are born about 90 days after mating. 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. Ecology. Male and female red bats have different migrating routines. Female bats are usually found in warmer climates during the month  of June. Diet and hunting. The desert red bat is an insectivore. They eat moths, flies, true bugs, beetles, and cicadas. The desert red bat is nocturnal. They use animal echolocation to hunt for insects. While they hunt, they are prone to predators, which include owls, blue jays, raccoons and opossum.