Bats in Georgia

There are 16 native bat species in Georgia, the most common of which are the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Big Brown Bat. The largest is the Hoary Bat, while the Eastern Small-footed Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Tricolored Bat are among the smallest bats in the state.

Different Types of Bats in Georgia

Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae)

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

Big Brown Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Eastern Small-footed Bat
Evening Bat
Gray Bat
Hoary Bat
Indiana Bat
Little Brown Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
Northern Yellow Bat
Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
Seminole Bat
Silver-haired Bat
Southeastern Myotis
Tricolored Bat

Places To Go Bat Watching in Georgia

The best places to see bats in Georgia include the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Bear Creek Nature Center, and the Edenfield Bat Cave at the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences. There’s also a cave known as Frick’s Cave in Walker County, home to the rare endangered Gray Bat.

FAQ

1. Are bats protected in Georgia?

Three bats in Georgia receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. This includes the federally endangered Indiana Bat and Gray Bat as well as the Northern Long-eared Bat, which is listed as threatened under federal law. Besides these three, trapping or killing any bats in the state is illegal.

2. Do bats hibernate in Georgia?

While they may not hibernate as long as those in the northern part of the country, bats in Georgia are known to hibernate when it gets colder.