Bats in Alaska: Where to Look and What Signs to Watch For

1. Which parts of Alaska have the most bats?

Bats are most likely in Southeast Alaska, especially around Juneau, Ketchikan, and the Tongass National Forest. They also occur along the south-central coast near Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula. Interior and northern regions have very few records.

See our state wildlife page for the next step.

In Alaska, bats sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

2. When is the best time of day and year to see bats?

Bats are nocturnal, so your best window is from about 30 minutes before sunset to an hour after dark. Seasonally, they are active from mid-May through early September. Maternity colonies form in June and July, so you might see more bats then as mothers hunt for insects.

3. What field signs should a beginner look for?

Look for bat droppings (guano) that look like small dark pellets, often found under bridges, in barns, or on rock ledges. Listen for high-pitched squeaks from roosts. At dusk, watch for erratic, fluttering flight over ponds or clearings. Bats often forage in the same spots night after night.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

4. What species of bats live in Alaska?

Alaska is home to at least five bat species, with the little brown myotis and silver-haired bat being the most common. The California myotis and Yuma myotis also occur. The hoary bat is a rare visitor. All species are insectivores and migrate or hibernate through winter.

5. How can I attract bats to my property in Alaska?

If you want to see bats more often, consider installing a bat house. Place it on a pole or building at least 10 feet high, facing south or southeast, near a water source. Avoid pesticides to ensure a good insect supply. Bat houses work best in Southeast Alaska's milder climate.