• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

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    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

Townsends Big-eared Bat

Townsend's Bats
A colony of Townsend's Bats.
Glenn Vargas, California Academy of Sciences
 

Natural History: This mammal is active at night, particularly during the late evening hours. It flies slowly and has good maneuverability, allowing it to feed on moths and other insects. It roosts in caves, buildings, and tunnels, breeding there during the summer. It is easily disturbed at its roosting areas.

General Distribution: This species is rarely sighted at the Presidio.

Frequency: Currently, Townsend's big-eared bats are Species of Special Concern in California. This is the status below threatened.

Identifying Characteristics: The clove-brown species of bat is distinguished by its extremely large ears, which are joined across the forehead. It has two distinguishable lumps on its nose.

 

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Did You Know?

Refugees in line for supplies, 1906

In the three days following the 1906 earthquake, the Army's refugee camps at the Presidio issued 3,000 tents, 12,000 shelter halves, 13,000 ponchos, 58,000 pairs of shoes, and 24,000 regulation blue shirts.