mammal · GBIF taxon 2433011
Mexican Free-tailed Bat
Tadarida brasiliensisAlso known as Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, Guano Bat
These highly social bats form some of the largest mammalian aggregations on Earth, with millions of individuals packing into single caves each summer. Emerging in spectacular, swirling columns at dusk, they fly at incredible altitudes and speeds to hunt migrating insect pests over agricultural fields. Their long, narrow wings and free-hanging tails make them exceptionally aerodynamic, allowing them to cover hundreds of miles in a single night.
NocturnalMigratoryAcrobatic
Licensed reference(c) Bureau of Land Management, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
- diet
- Flying insects, especially moths, beetles, and flying ants
- family
- Molossidae
- threats
- Habitat destruction, pesticide poisoning, wind turbines, and disturbance of roosting caves
- life Span
- Up to 8 to 12 years in the wild
LC
Can carry rabies and bite if handled; observe their evening flights from a safe distance.
- Watch the emergence: Visit known roosting bridges or caves at dusk to witness their spectacular swirling exit flights.
- Keep your distance: Never touch a grounded bat, as they may bite defensively or carry rabies.
- Reduce pesticide use: Support local bat populations by avoiding chemical sprays that eliminate their insect food source.