Mammal · GBIF taxon 2432491
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat
Corynorhinus rafinesquiiAlso known as Southeastern Big-eared Bat
Rafinesque's big-eared bats navigate the dim understory of southern swamp forests using giant ears that measure over an inch long. Female colonies gather in hollow cypress trees, old barns, and quiet caves to raise single pups each spring. Highly agile in flight, they hover gracefully near foliage to glean resting moths straight off leaves.
NocturnalInsectivorousCave Dweller
Licensed referenceCSJordan / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Moths
- Beetles
- Flies
Predators
- Owls
- Snakes
- Raccoons
ThreatsRoost disturbance, loss of mature hollow trees, and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsBottomland hardwood forests, swamp cypress trees, abandoned buildings, and caves
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyVespertilionidae
- SpeciesCorynorhinus rafinesquii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Wild bats can transmit rabies and bite defensively if handled; observe roosts from a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Like all wild mammals, bats can carry the rabies virus transmitted through saliva or bites.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Identified by enormous ears up to four centimeters long and light brown fur with facial lumps.
- What to do
- Never touch a grounded or roosting bat with bare hands; contact local wildlife rescuers if found grounded.
- What to notice
- Recognized by huge ears curled like ram horns during rest and pale gray-white underparts.
- Support conservation
- Keep distance from roost sites and avoid entering hollow trees or maternity caves during spring and summer.
Responsible observation
- Observe quietly: Avoid disturbing roosting colonies in hollow trees or old structures.
- Use red light: Switch headlamps to red mode to avoid scaring bats emerging at dusk.
Co-habitant (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Prey "Lovely luna moth at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery" by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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