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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Bandelier National MonumentHistoric Cabin built by the CCC
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Bandelier National Monument
Bats
big-eared bat

NPS Photo by Sally King

Thirteen species of bats live within Bandelier National Monument.

Eons ago when ancestral bats sought the shelter of darkness as protection from predators their future reputation as creatures of mystery and evil was born. Hampered by this reputation and numerous misconceptions, these flying mammals have encountered a new and even more dangerous enemy: MAN.

Thirteen species of bats live within Bandelier National Monument. The most commonly seen species is the Mexican Free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).  Frequently a colony of these bats roosts in the cave above Long House on the Main Loop Trail. In 1986, about 10,000 Mexican free-tails and some little brown bats (Myotis yumanensis) moved in and continued to use the cave every summer until 2002. 
Black-chinned Hummingbird chicks in nest  

Did You Know?
Hummingbirds use a combination of plant material, lichens, and moss held together by spider webs to make a flexible nest. This nest can expand to meet the needs of the growing chicks.

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Last Updated: April 25, 2007 at 18:20 EST