Pallid bats are fairly common at lower elevations throughout the Southwest. Its favored habitat is the rocky outcrop regions where the dominant vegetation consists of scattered desert scrub such as mesquite and cat’s claw, although it commonly ranges up into the forested oak and pine regions. Summer daytime roosts are most commonly in rock crevices and buildings, less frequently in mines, caves, and hollow trees. Colonies are small, generally from a dozen to 100 individuals.

These bats choose a daytime roosting site where they can retreat out of sight and wedge themselves into tight crevices. They are intolerant of disturbance and may abandon a roost when disturbed, not to return for years. Pallid bats make several different sounds which apparently have different functions. One is called the intimidation note. It is a loud insect-like buzz that is uttered when a bat is frightened, angered, or annoyed. The squabble note consists of a series of high-pitched, dry, rasping, thin double notes. It appears to be a sign of irritation, uttered by individuals which are being crowded by others. The directive call consists of one to five rapidly repeated notes. This call is usually given as soon as the bat emerges in the evening.

Pallid bats have one of the most unique feeding habits of any North American bat. Little, if any, of their food is captured in the air. Some of their favorite food includes scorpions, crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders. Many people have reported to have seen pallid bats landing on the ground and chasing crickets. The bats are so engrossed in the chase that they never notice the people watching them.

Pallid bat photographs