Western Mastif Bat  

(Eumops Perotis)

PHOTOS BY MERLIN TUTTLE

This bat is also known as the Greater Bonneted Bat.

Also known as The greater mastiff bat is the largest bat in the United States. They can be easily identified by their very large ears, which extend out over its nose. It has short brown to gray-brown fur on its back and paler fur on its underside. Their wings are long and narrow.
Primary Prey: Moths are their food of choice, any night-flying insect is game.
Predators: Birds of prey such as hawks, falcons and owls. These bats do not migrate or hibernate. They remain active year-round.
Habitat: Large open area with roost sites having vertical faces. They will roost in small colonies in rock fissures in high cliff faces. Because of their large size, they need at least 20 feet of vertical drop from their roosts to gain enough speed for flight. If they end up on the ground, they have to climb up a vertical surface in order to gain enough height to launch into flight.
Range: These bats are found from central California into most of Arizona and some areas of Texas and New Mexico and into Mexico. The southern portion of their range extends to Argentina.
Status:  
Wingspan:  20-23 in (50-58cm) 
Weight: 2.0-2.5 oz (56-70 gm)
Body length:
Offspring: 1-2 pups (1 is usual)  Pups born May and September. (Mating occurs in the spring).
Life Span: 10-15 years in the wild.