3 Types of Bats in Maine

1. What are the most common bat species in Maine?

Maine is home to eight bat species. The most widespread are the little brown bat (*Myotis lucifugus*) and the big brown bat (*Eptesicus fuscus*). Others include the northern long-eared bat, eastern red bat, and silver-haired bat, but these are less common. The little brown bat is small, about 3-4 inches long, while the big brown bat is larger, up to 5 inches.

See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.

In Maine, bats sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto 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. How can you identify bats in the field?

Look for size, ear length, and fur color. Little brown bats have glossy brown fur and dark ears. Big brown bats are larger with a broader nose and lighter belly. Flight pattern helps: bats flutter erratically, unlike birds. Their echolocation is audible to humans as faint clicks if you use a bat detector. Be cautious not to confuse them with swallows or nighthawks, which also fly at dusk.

3. Where in Maine do you usually see bats first?

Bats are most often spotted near water sources like lakes, ponds, and rivers, where insects swarm. Check forest edges, old barns, and bridges with crevices. Southern Maine, including York and Cumberland counties, offers the most accessible sightings. For more detailed habitat tips, see ourbats in Maineguide.

4. When is the best time of year to spot bats in Maine?

Bats overwinter in hibernation, so sightings begin in late April or early May. Peak activity runs from June through August, when nights are warm and insects are abundant. Evening emergence starts about 30 minutes after sunset. Early fall, especially September, is good for observing migration of some species.Check our full bat guidefor seasonal details.

5. What are some safety tips for observing bats?

Never handle bats with bare hands. They can carry rabies, though incidence is low. Maintain a distance of at least 10 feet. Use binoculars or a bat detector to enhance your experience without disturbing them. If you find a bat on the ground, contact local wildlife authorities.

6. What gear can help you enjoy bat watching?

A good pair of binoculars and a bat detector can transform your outing. But you don't need expensive equipment to start. Many watchers also enjoy wearing bat-themed apparel to share their interest. Explore our selection ofbat shirtsfor comfortable field wear.

Bat Animal Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

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Cute Bat Sticker

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Baby Bat Cartoon T-Shirt

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7. Are bats in Maine dangerous?

Bats help control insect populations and are not aggressive. The main public health concern is rabies, but less than 1% of bats carry it. Never touch a bat; if you find one near your home, contact a wildlife professional. Their guano can also cause respiratory issues if accumulated indoors.

8. How can you support bat conservation in Maine?

Install a bat house that faces south or southeast for roosting. Preserve natural habitats and avoid pesticides. Report sightings to the Maine Bat Program to help track populations. White-nose syndrome has killed many bats; you can contribute by staying out of hibernation caves.

9. What is the difference between the northern long-eared bat and other species?

The northern long-eared bat (*Myotis septentrionalis*) has distinctively long ears that stick out well above its head, much longer than those on little brown bats. It is smaller than the big brown bat but slightly larger than the little brown bat, reaching about 3.5 inches. Its fur is dark brown to black. This species prefers forested areas and tends to hunt closer to vegetation, making it harder to spot than the more open-flying little brown and big brown bats. Unlike the common species, northern long-eared bats are federally listed as threatened due to white-nose syndrome impact, so sightings are increasingly rare. If you observe what might be a northern long-eared bat, report it to the Maine Bat Program for research purposes.

10. How do eastern red bats differ from brown bat species in Maine?

The eastern red bat (*Lasiurus borealis*) is one of Maine's most colorful species, with rusty red to brick red fur that makes it distinctive. Males are brighter red than females, which tend toward tan or orange. Eastern red bats are smaller than big brown bats but similar in size to little brown bats. They have long, narrow wings suited to high-altitude flight in open spaces, whereas little brown bats are more maneuverable around obstacles. Eastern red bats are solitary and less likely to roost in buildings; they prefer tree foliage and rarely enter caves or attics. Spotting one in Maine is less common than seeing brown bat species, as they migrate south for winter and only transient individuals pass through in spring and fall.

11. What habitat preferences distinguish Maine's eight bat species?

Each species selects different roosting and foraging sites. Little brown bats favor old barns, attics, and bridge crevices, then hunt over water and open edges. Big brown bats also use buildings but roost in tighter spaces and hunt in more varied terrain. Silver-haired bats (*Lasionycteris noctivagans*) are tree roosters that hide in bark crevices or dead trees and forage high above the canopy. The eastern pipistrelle (*Perimyotis subflavus*), Maine's smallest species at 3 inches, prefers tree roosts and hunts in mixed forest. The tricolored bat (*Perimyotis subflavus*) is even smaller and rarer. Knowing these preferences helps you predict where to observe each species. Waterside locations favor little brown and big brown bats; quiet tree-lined paths and woodland edges attract silver-haired and pipistrelle bats. Open spaces and clearings with tree cover attract eastern red bats during their migration.

12. Can you reliably tell species apart using only flight behavior and silhouette?

Flight behavior offers strong clues but requires practice. Little brown bats fly with quick, erratic wingbeats and often circle tightly, making them easy to track. Big brown bats have a steadier, more powerful flight and cover more distance per wing stroke. Eastern red bats fly fast and high with pointed wingbeats, rarely dipping low to the water. Silver-haired bats fly steady and methodical, often in straight lines at mid-height. Pipistrelle species flutter rapidly with a butterfly-like motion. Silhouette also helps: big brown bats have broad, blunt noses visible in profile, while little brown bats and others have slender snouts. The best identification combines flight behavior, size relative to known landmarks like trees or buildings, fur color glimpsed at close range with binoculars, and ear shape if you see the bat perched or roosting. Use a bat detector to hear echolocation frequency; each species produces a distinct pattern that acoustic experts can identify.