Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)

The Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) are agile fliers who eat and drink on the wing, often hunting over corn and cotton fields, open marshes, and along forest edges.

Artwork ©Juliet Whitsett | Social: @juliet_whitsett_art      |     Purchase prints:HERE

"Eastern red bats are masters of disguise, spending their days tucked into trees where their rusty-red fur mimics dead leaves. Found across much of North America, they are solitary bats that spend their days curled up into their furry tail, or “butt blanket”. Then at dusk, they transform into voracious predators of crop pests. Like other foliage-roosting bats, females commonly give birth to as many as four pups, Many in northern climes migrate south in winter, but they can tolerate surprisingly cold temperatures by dropping down into leaf litter. Individuals have been found surviving body temperatures below freezing while in torpor under snow. Common residents of the urban forest, one of these beauties could very well be found hanging in your own back yard."

Species information and photo generously provided by: AustinBatRefuge.org

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RANGE:

RANGE: IUCN Red List http://www.iucnredlist.org

Check out the entire  "The Night Shift: Austin's Native Bats" Series!

Launched in collaboration with Austin Bat Refuge at the Really Small Museum during Bat month (October 2026):

Artwork ©Juliet Whitsett | Social: @juliet_whitsett_art   

Juliet Whitsett is an Austin-based artist and environmental advocate specializing in biodiversity, ecological storytelling, and public engagement. Through research-driven art, she makes scientific knowledge accessible, inspiring awareness and action for the natural world.

5% of the profits of any sale supports Endangered & Threatened Species.

SOURCES:

AUSTIN BAT REFUGE: https://leem16.sg-host.com/ourwork/local-species/eastern-red-bat-2/

IUCN Red List (September, 2014) http://www.iucnredlist.org