Bats in Ohio

There are 8 species of bats that are native to Ohio. The most common bat in Ohio is the Big Brown Bat, which occasionally enters people’s houses to roost. The largest of them is the Hoary Bat, while the Tricolored Bat is the smallest.

Different Types of Bats in Ohio

Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae)

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

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

Places To Go Bat Watching in Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley is home to all 8 of Ohio’s bats. The ones spotted here include the Tricolored Bat, the Big Brown Bat, the Silver-haired Bat, the Hoary Bat, the Little Brown Bat, the Evening Bat, and the Eastern Red Bat.

Bats have also been seen in Ohio Caverns and Clear Creek.

FAQ

1. Are there any endangered bat species in Ohio?

Yes, the Indiana bat and the Northern Long-eared Bat are both classified as endangered in Ohio.

2. Do bats hibernate in Ohio?

In Ohio, certain bats, like the Big Brown Bat and the Northern Long-eared Bat, hibernate from late October to early April. They do so in caves, mines, rock crevices, or the attics of certain buildings.

3. Are bats in Ohio dangerous?

Bats never attack humans, however, they can be carriers of diseases like rabies.

4. Are bats protected in Ohio?

Yes, all bats in Ohio are protected by law. It is illegal to kill bats in the state.

5. Do bats migrate in Ohio?

Bats that primarily live in trees, like the Hoary Bat and the Silver-haired Bat, will migrate south when it gets colder.