Southern Yellow Bat (Dasypterus ega)

Southern yellow bats once ranged from Brazil up only as far as South Texas. Their range has expanded northward in recent decades as far as Austin.

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

"Southern yellow bats once ranged from Brazil up only as far as South Texas. Their range has expanded northward in recent decades as far as Austin. Smaller than their northern yellow bat relatives, their pups are also more olive-colored and shaggier than northern pups. They have one fewer molar in their upper jaws, giving them a cute upturned nose compared to the northern’s Roman nose. The tips of their intricately wrinkled ears can appear to curve inwards when viewed from the front, resembling a female buffalo’s horns. These beautiful bats display an impressive combination of speed, power, and agility, as they hunt for flying beetles and moths. Their tendency to hunker down in palm tree skirts makes them vulnerable to pruning. Don’t prune palm trees!"

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/southern-yellow-bat/

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