Where do Bats Live?

Bats are found on every continent except Antartica. Bats are nocturnal, so they sleep duing the day and are awake during the night.

Some other nocturnal animals are;

• owls
• red foxes
• coyotes
• skunks
• hedgehogs
• porcupines

Bats go to their home with their bat group, called a camp, to sleep during the day. This home is called a roost. A bats roost must be closed from all weather and have roof. Bats sleep upside down so they can take off easier. Without a roof, a bat would have nowhere to sleep. The only type of bat that can take off from the ground on its own is the vampire bat.

You can make your own bat roost to hang up on a tree to help preserve your local bat community. Common types of natural bat roosts are;

• Hollowed out trees
• Caves


by Rich Brooks

• Attics
• Under porches
• Under bridges


By Peter Potrowl

• Garages
• Some bats live in the rainforest. These bats sleep in small groups under palm leaves!


By Brian Gratwicke CC-BY

This is what it looks like when bats leave thier roosts.

It is important that you never go near a bats roost. When ever you are near a bat's roost you are at risk for histoplasmosis ( see Bat Dangers for more information.). Do not take that risk. Histoplasmosis, in some cases, is fatal.