Mexican Free-tailed Bat
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Chiroptera Family: Molossidae Genus: Tadarida
Species: Tadarida brasiliensis
The Mexican Free-tailed Bat is a species that few know inhabits the Regents Campus. Not only is it present at Regents, but it roosts in the crevices at the roof of the Grammar Building. In the early morning just before the sun rises, multiple bats can be seen flying in circles next to the Grammar Building, and once the sun starts to rise, they fly into the crevices and remain there until nightfall. The bat is the only mammal that is capable of flying, and it uses echolocation to “see” in the dark and catch insects. The offspring of the Mexican Free-tailed Bat grow very quickly because this species produces milk with a higher concentration of fat than that of any other bat. It plays an important role in the ecosystem by significantly lowering the number of insects in their habitat and therefore protecting crops and human health by eating crop pests and disease-carrying insects.
Conservation status: Least concern
Description: Brown fur, short snout, wrinkled lips, and large ears; a free tail extends behind its hind legs
Length: Ranges from 3-4 inches in length
Wingspan: 11 in
Weight: 7-12 g
Diet: Aerial prey such as moths, ants, beetles, and flies
Habitat: Caves or man-made structures such as bridges or attics; some roost in the ceiling of the Grammar Building
Credit source: Animal Diversity Web
