Bats are extremely valuable animals, too often feared by those who don’t know them. All in Michigan eat more than their weight in harmful insects each evening. Web sites are included for more detail.

Bats are the only true flying mammals. Like humans, they give birth to live young and produce milk with which to feed them. Unlike humans, father bats sometimes do the nursing. Bats belong to the mammalian order Chiroptera, which means "hand-wing." The bones in their wings are similar to those found in human hands and arms, only they are elongated and connected by a double membrane of skin. The tragus, which resembles a pointy satellite dish in front of the ear, helps them interpret returning sound waves during echolocation.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/slideshow.cfm?id=secret-lives-of-bats

There are 9 species of bats in Michigan. All Michigan bats use echolocation to search for food, and feed exclusively on insects.

http://www.crittercatchersinc.com/critters/bats/MI_bat_species.html

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fucus)

A colonial bat that prefers hot attics, shutters, bat houses and trees for roosting. The big brown bat is the most common bat to be found in Oakland County and surrounding areas. Colonies of females tend to form in the spring and summer and number 20-500 members. Males typically roost alone or together in groups numbering less than 4 or 5. During the night, they may roost on porches as they take a break from feeding. During the winter, months, this species is commonly found hibernating in walls and attics. They periodically awaken (every couple weeks), and can accidentally get into the living quarters.

During the summer, the Big Brown Bat usually emerges from its roost about 20 minutes after sunset to forage for insects. The big brown bat can be identified by a 13 inch wingspan and a reddish brown to dark brown coat. Additionally, they appear to be puffy around the nose when compared to the little brown bat.

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

A colonial bat that is found throughout Michigan, however is frequently observed in the more northern parts of the state. They are commonly observed to be using echolocation to capture insects that are flying over lakes and ponds. They can be identified by a 10 inch wingspan with a reddish brown to dark brown coat. Large colonies consisting of hundreds or even thousands of members commonly take up residence in hot attics or cabins.

Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)

A solitary bat with a 12 inch wingspan. The coat is bright orange to yellowish brown. There is unusual white marking on the shoulders. The females raise between 1-4 young and spend most of their time in trees. Although this species is common in Michigan, it is not normally found in homes, due to its preference to roost in trees. On occasion, this bat may enter homes through open windows. However, since this bat species is solitary, it would not indicate that a colony is present.

The Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)

A solitary bat that can be quickly identified by dark hairs tipped with white. The wingspan is approximately 15 inches. The bat also has a yellow to orange throat. This bat spends most of its time in trees and is not commonly observed in Michigan homes.

Tri-Colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus)

Formally known as the Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus) , but reclassified in 2008. A colonial bat that is found in the upper peninsula. The wingspan is approximately 9 inches. The bat is one of the smallest species found in the United States. On occasion this bat is mistaken for a large moth. It is rare for this species to colonize in buildings.

Silvered Haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

A solitary bat sporting a black coat tipped with silver. The wingspan stretches 11 inches. They typically roost behind loose tree bark, but may roost on tall buildings or churches. This bat is uncommon in Michigan.

Indiana Bat (Myotis solidalis)

This species of bats numbers less than 300,000 in the world and is an endangered species. The Indiana bat can be identified by its dull brown to grey fur with a pinkish tale membrane. They look similar to the big brown bat, however their fur extends beyond their toe nails. They tend to roost in dead or hollow trees in the summer, and form large winter colonies in limestone caves.

Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis)

A colonial bat with a 10 inch wingspan. It can be confused with the big brown or the little brown bat, however the evening bat can be identified by its blunt tragus at the base of the ear. This bat's upper range includes the very southern parts of Michigan. This is a threatened species.

Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)

Female Northern Long-eared Bats form small colonies, while the males roost alone during the summer. This bat sports a pale to dark brown coat and has a 10 inch wingspan. The Long-eared bat typically flies in forested areas and will capture insects in flight or on the ground. They prefer to roost in hollow trees or under bark, and are rarely found under shutters.