Seminole Bat
Lasiurus seminolus
A small reddish tree bat that roosts in Spanish moss and foliage and hunts flying insects after dark.
Seminole Bats are common across Florida, especially in pine forests and neighborhoods with mature trees and Spanish moss. Unlike colonial attic bats, individuals usually roost alone in foliage.
They emerge after sunset to hunt moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. Preserve mature canopy, reduce unnecessary nighttime pesticides, and protect roosting foliage.
Habitat:
Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Eats moths, beetles, flies, true bugs, mosquitoes, and other night-flying insects.
Behavior:
Usually roosts alone in Spanish moss, pine needles, dead leaves, or dense foliage. It leaves around dusk and captures insects in flight above clearings and canopy edges.
Nighttime, Dawn and Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
At dusk on warm evenings near tree lines, open lawns, ponds, and streetlights.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Least Concern; tree removal, pesticide exposure, and severe weather can affect local populations.
Safety Level:
Moderate
Safety Information:
Never handle a bat barehanded. Keep people and pets away from grounded bats and contact animal control or a permitted rehabilitator when assistance is needed.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes large numbers of night-flying insects without normally occupying attics or damaging structures.
Property Concerns:
Occasionally roosts in hanging vegetation close to homes. A grounded or indoor bat requires careful isolation and professional guidance.
Fun Fact:
- It often hides in Spanish moss.
- Females may carry twins.
- Its furred tail membrane helps distinguish tree bats.
Wildlife Laws:
Florida regulates bat exclusions and protects maternity colonies during the annual April 16 through August 14 exclusion blackout period. Never poison bats or seal an occupied roost.
Identification:
Small bat with deep mahogany to chestnut fur, often frosted at the tips, rounded ears, and a fully furred tail membrane. The reddish coat helps separate it from many gray or brown building-roosting bats.