Data Sheet

Diet: Pocketed free-tailed bats capture insects in the air, feeding primarily on moths, beetles, flies, and ‘true bugs’ (Order Hemiptera).

Fun Fact: Pocketed free-tailed bats are visually very similar to Mexican free-tailed bats, with one exception – they have a small fold of skin that creates a ‘pocket’ near their knees, giving them their common name. 

Appearance: In addition to their distinctive skin folds, Pocketed free-tailed bats have short round ears that join at the top of their head and greyish brown fur. They are fairly small, averaging between 10 and 14 grams. 

Habitat: Pocketed free-tailed bats are primarily desert bats, found in the southwestern United States and western Mexico. 

They roost in crevices of cliffs and rocky outgroups, in groups numbering up to about 100 individuals.  

Conservation Concerns: Although relatively rare, pocketed free-tailed bats have a relatively wide range, and are found in many protective areas (including Big Bend National Park in Texas). The primary conservation concerns for this species are habitat loss and use of pesticides. 

Bat Conservation International Projects including the pocketed free-tailed bat:

• North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
• Conservation of Public Lands

Additional Resources:

• Bat Species of the World
• IUCN Red List