Lasiurus intermedius                                            Photo Chris Burney ©

One of the largest and most visible bats in Florida, yellow bats start flying well before dark. As long as there are flying insects, these bats are active year-round. They fly slowly, and seem to hunt systematically, hawking back and forth over the same piece of ground.

They can be seen over open areas such as lake edges, fields, golf courses and beaches. They are also common in suburban residential areas. Yellow bats rarely roost in human made structures, preferring clumps of Spanish moss or dead palm fronds as daytime hiding places. They eat a variety of insects including dragonflies, moths and beetles.

ID tip. Starts flying well before dark.

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