Bats in Utah

17 species of bats are native to Utah. The largest is the Big Free-tailed Bat with a wingspan of 16.4–17.2 inches, while the smallest is the Canyon Bat with a wingspan between 7.5 and 8.5 inches. Some of the most common bats recorded in the state include the Big Brown Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Pallid Bat.

Different Types of Bats in Utah

Free-tailed Bats (Molossidae)

Big Free-tailed Bat
Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

Allen’s Big-eared Bat
Big Brown Bat
California Myotis
Canyon Bat
Fringed Myotis
Hoary Bat
Little Brown Bat
Long-eared Myotis
Long-legged Myotis
Silver-haired Bat
Spotted Bat
Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Western Red Bat
Western Small-footed Myotis
Yuma Myotis

Places To Go Bat Watching in Utah

In Utah, bats will roost in the lava tubes at Snow Canyon State Park and in the four chambers of Mammoth Cave near Cedar Breaks.

FAQ

1. Are bats protected in Utah?

All species of bats are protected under state law in Utah. Not only is it illegal to kill bats as they are a nongame species, but there are extra protections to protect species under the Endangered Species Act.

2. Are there vampire bats in Utah?

No, there aren’t vampire bats in the entirety of the United States, let alone the state of Utah.

3. Do bats in Utah migrate for winter?

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