Get Batty!

2023’s Best States For Bat Lovers

Which states are batty for our favorite flying mammals? To mark Bat Week starting October 24, Pest Gnome ranked 2023’s best states for bat lovers.

Pest Gnome compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 3 categories. More specifically, they looked at each state’s number of bat species, viewing sites, bat rescues, and wind turbines, among 8 total metrics. Some bat species hibernate, but others migrate for the winter, which could explain the many species roosting across the South.

Texas flew to the top of the ranking with a 28-point lead over the 2nd-battiest state, California. The Lone Star state is home to the most bat species, 31.

3 of the top 5 states — Texas, California, and Indiana (No. 5) — have abundant wind turbines, which are hazardous to their sizable bat populations.

High numbers of wind turbines sent Iowa (No. 49) and North Dakota (No. 48) to the bottom of the ranking, alongside Alaska (No. 50) and Hawaii (No. 51) with the fewest bat species to spot.

10 states, including Tennessee (No. 12) and Alabama (No. 13), tied with 0 local bat rescues. Tennessee and Montana (No. 46) do not authorize licenses for bat rehabilitation. Meanwhile, California claimed the most bat rescues, 49, followed by Florida (No. 7), with 21.

See the 10 best (and 10 worst) states for bat lovers below. To see full report, visit https://pestgnome.com/blog/studies/best-states-bat-lovers/.