Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera (Latin for “hand- wing”), making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are the second largest order of mammals (after the rodents), with about 1,240 species of bats worldwide. About 70% of bat species are insectivores. They provide valuable pest management service to our cities and natural areas through the predation of nighttime flying insects, including adult mosquitoes. Most of the rest are fruit eaters: some bats are important pollinators and make it possible for us to harvest certain fruits and flowers. A few species feed on animals other than insects, such as the vampire bats that feed on blood.
Arizona has an amazing diversity of bats with at least 28 species representing four families. They can be found statewide, in all habitats including: desert, grassland, woodland, and urban habitats. The smallest bat, Western pipistrelle (Parastrellus hesperus), also known as the canyon bat, measures only 2.5 inches long; while the largest bat, Western mastiff (Eumops perotis californicus), is up to 7.5 inches long. As the human population in Arizona increases, so does the wildland/urban interface. This leads to increased human encounters with wild bats.
his document provides a general overview of bat biology and behavior with emphasis on urban environments, use of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques that are in keeping with bat conservation guidelines, and disease awareness and prevention efforts.