South Dakota Bat Species
Explore the 13 species of bats found in South Dakota below. 

Year–round Species

Northern Long-eared Bat

Federally Endangered and SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Little Brown Bat

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Fringed Myotis

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Long-eared Myotis

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Long-legged Myotis

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Western Small-footed Myotis

Common

Big Brown Bat

Common

Townsends Big-eared Bat

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Tricolored bat

Proposed endangered and SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

​Migratory Species

Eastern Red Bat

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Hoary Bat

Common

Silver-haired Bat

SD Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Evening Bat

Little is known about this bat

Species Identification

Many bat species are difficult to identify by appearance alone because they can be very similar in size, color, and overall shape. Accurate identification often requires examining several physical characteristics and taking measurements, such as forearm, ear, foot, and tail length. Identification keys help users compare these features and narrow an individual to the most likely species. 

Chiroptera

All bat species belong to the order Chiroptera, which comes from Greek and means “hand-wing” (chiro = hand, ptera = wing). This name refers to the structure of bat wings, which evolved from the forelimbs of ancestral vertebrates. The bones of the fingers are greatly elongated and support a thin membrane that forms the wing. As a result, most of a bat’s wing is actually its hand.​

Unlike birds, bats can move and adjust their wings with great precision. They steer, brake, turn, and capture prey by making small movements with their arms, fingers, and wing membranes.

Migratory vs Year–round

Permanent residents remain in the state year-round and survive cold temperatures by hibernating in protected sites called hibernacula, such as caves, mines, or rock crevices. During warmer months, bats rest in roosts, which may include trees, rock features, or human structures. Some resident species form colonies, especially during the summer maternity season, while others may roost alone or in small groups.
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In contrast, migratory species leave South Dakota in the fall and travel to warmer regions where insects remain available. These species typically roost in trees and do not rely on local hibernacula for winter survival. Migratory bats are often solitary or form small groups, although they may gather in larger numbers during migration.