The Big Brown Bat is one of the most widespread and recognizable bats in North America, with a large, robust body and glossy brown fur. It is a flexible roost-site generalist, using buildings, tree cavities, and rock crevices. Big brown bats consume enormous numbers of pest insects nightly, including cucumber beetles and codling moths that damage crops.
Best time to see a Big Brown Bat
The best time to see a Big Brown Bat is April–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,238 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Big Brown Bat? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Big Brown Bat sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Big Brown Bat? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Big Brown Bat is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love mammals? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.