The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species program is conserving and restoring threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems.

Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)

Frequently Requested!

The Indiana bat was listed as endangered in 1967 due to episodes of people disturbing hibernating bats in caves during winter, resulting in the death of large numbers of bats. Indiana bats are vulnerable to disturbance because they hibernate in large numbers in only a few caves (the largest hibernation caves support from 20,000 to 50,000 bats). Other threats that have contributed to the Indiana bat's decline include commercialization of caves, loss of summer habitat, pesticides and other contaminants, and most recently, the disease white-nose syndrome.

Indiana bats are quite small, weighing only one-quarter of an ounce (about the weight of three pennies) although in flight they have a wingspan of 9 to 11 inches. Their fur is dark-brown to black. They hibernate during winter in caves or, occasionally, in abandoned mines. During summer they roost under the peeling bark of dead and dying trees. Indiana bats eat a variety of flying insects found along rivers or lakes and in uplands.

Article If You Build It, They Will Come: A Field of Dreams for Endangered Bats

White-nose Syndrome

White nose syndrome (WNS) is an illness that has killed over a million bats since 2006 when dead and dying bats, with the distinctive "white nose," were first observed. "White nose" refers to a ring of white fungus often seen on the faces and wings of affected bats. First observed in a cave in New York in February 2006, white-nose syndrome has spread from New York caves to caves and mines throughout the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest It is spreading to the West and Southwest - and has been documented in the state of Washington.

White-nose Syndrome Response Team

Video: The Battle for Bats: White Nose Syndrome

Decontamination Protocol for Bat Field Studies

Use the most current version of the Protocol provided on the website. These protocols apply to anyone handling bats and working under a Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit (i.e., Federal Research Permit). The purpose of the protocols are to minimize the potential for transmission of white-nose syndrome while handling bats; both between handler and bats and between bats.

White-Nose Syndrome and Bats Photo Gallery

Population

2019 Indiana Bat Rangewide Population - Revised June 27, 2019

Management

Helping bats survive white-nose syndrome includes helping them survive overall. The White-Nose Syndrome website provides information that can help you help bats when carrying out various management activities.

Management Practices to Help Bats Survive - links to White-Nose Sydrome Response Team

Life History and ESA Status

Indiana Bat Range Map and Recovery Units

Shapefile of Recovery Units (.zip file)

Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet - Northeastern U.S. (PDF)

Michigan Summer Life History Information

Species Profile (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Endangered Species Website)

Recovery Activities

Recovery is the process used to restore threatened and endangered species to the point that protection under the Endangered Species Act is no longer needed. The Endangered Species Act requires that a "Recovery Plan" be prepared for every listed species and that the status of every listed species is reviewed every five years (i.e., "Five-Year Reviews").

Beneficial Forest Management Practices for WNS-affected Bats Voluntary Guidance for Land Managers and Woodland Owners in the Eastern United States

Draft Recovery Plan; First Revision (258-page PDF ; 1.4MB) - April 2007

Hopes For Indiana Bat Rise and Fall at Indiana's Cave River Valley (Dec. 2012)

Five-Year Review (91-page PDF ) Sept. 2019

Section 7 Consultation

Under Section 7, the Endangered Species Act directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.

Section 7 Consultation with Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration

Section 7 and Section 10 Wind Energy Guidance

Indiana Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities

Summer Survey Guidelines

Automated Acoustic Bat ID Software Programs

Indiana Bat Biological Opinions

Section 7 Consultation Guidance

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)

Habitat Conservation Plans in the Midwest Region

Images

Indiana Bat Photos on Flickr

For Teachers

Indiana Bats, Kids, and Caves - Oh My! (an activity book for teachers)

Celebrate Endangered Species Day, Learn about the Endangered Indiana Bat

Photos on Flickr

Photos of bats with white-nose syndrome on Flickr

Bat Box Fact Sheet (PDF)

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