Adopt the Big Brown Bat

The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a cave bat that, in our region, hibernates in caves through the winter. It has an extensive range, spanning from North America to northern South America. It is a common species throughout much of this range, with numerous roosts and locations across a wide variety of habitats. This quite adaptable bat species readily uses human-made structures for roosting, making it a familiar sight in urban and rural areas.

The big brown bat is one of several species that may be affected by White-nose Syndrome. However, these bats often hibernate in buildings and other human-associated sites where the fungus does not thrive, making them less vulnerable to severe declines caused by WNS. Studies in New York have shown that while WNS caused severe declines in other bat species, the big brown bat appeared resistant to the disease.

Despite being a habitat generalist, the big brown bat faces challenges such as habitat loss due to current forestry practices and decreased foraging activity in urbanized areas, likely due to lower insect abundance. Additionally, big brown bats roosting in buildings is sometimes seen as a nuisance, leading to eradication efforts and hostile architecture.

This species is nonmigratory or only a short-distance migrant, meaning they rely heavily on the areas immediately surrounding where they are found. Disturbances to these areas, such as tree removal, can quickly displace populations.

The adaptability of the big brown bat to various roosting sites and habitats is an advantage, but continued efforts are needed to address threats from habitat loss, urbanization, and the challenges associated with wind energy development. Conservation initiatives focus on protecting roosting sites, mitigating the impacts of wind turbines, and conserving natural areas where they are currently found to support stable populations of this resilient species.