Which two bat species are commonly found in Alberta?

Which two bat species are commonly found in Alberta?

• A. Vampire bat
• B. Fruit bat
• C. Little brown bat, Big brown bat
• D. Pipistrelle

Answer: (C)

In Alberta, two insect-eating bats are commonly encountered because they tolerate temperate climates, roost in a variety of spots (including buildings and trees), and forage over open and semi-open habitats typical of the province. The little brown bat and the big brown bat fit this pattern and are widely distributed across much of North America, including Alberta, making them the species most people are likely to come across there. Vampire bats live in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and are not found in Alberta’s cooler climate, so they wouldn’t be described as common in the province. Fruit bats are megabats that inhabit tropical regions as well and do not occur in Alberta. The term pipistrelle has historically referred to certain small bats, but the species associated with that name are not characteristic residents of Alberta, especially compared with the two more widespread temperate species above.

In Alberta, two insect-eating bats are commonly encountered because they tolerate temperate climates, roost in a variety of spots (including buildings and trees), and forage over open and semi-open habitats typical of the province. The little brown bat and the big brown bat fit this pattern and are widely distributed across much of North America, including Alberta, making them the species most people are likely to come across there.

Vampire bats live in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and are not found in Alberta’s cooler climate, so they wouldn’t be described as common in the province. Fruit bats are megabats that inhabit tropical regions as well and do not occur in Alberta. The term pipistrelle has historically referred to certain small bats, but the species associated with that name are not characteristic residents of Alberta, especially compared with the two more widespread temperate species above.