The Canyon Bat (Parastrellus hesperus) is the smallest bat in the United States and the most common of the desert southwest. Its fur varies from yellowish gray to reddish brown while its face and ears are black. It can live in a variety of habitats but prefers rocky areas near pools of water where it can find meals of flying insects and shelter from the sun during long, hot days.

Take a hike in Mission Trails Park just 12 miles from the Museum. It is a good place to see Canyon Bats in the San Diego area since they like living around the boulders, cracks, and crevices of the rocky park.

To learn more about the wonderful world of bats, visit Bat Conservation International.

PHOTO CREDIT: Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International, www.batcon.org