Meet the Florida Bonneted Bat

Florida’s largest bat. One of its rarest. And our very first Wild One.

There’s something special about a species that exists nowhere else in the world.

The Florida bonneted bat, Eumops floridanus, is found only in Florida and has one of the most limited ranges of any bat in the United States. With a wingspan reaching roughly 20 inches, it’s also Florida’s largest bat. Its oversized ears meet at the base of its head, creating the little “bonnet” that gave the species its name.

For Foxglove, that combination of rarity, place, and personality made it the perfect species to begin The Wild Ones.

A Florida Original

Florida bonneted bats are primarily found throughout South Florida, with populations documented across portions of Central and South Florida. They forage over forests, wetlands, open water, agricultural areas, golf courses, and even neighborhoods.

Unlike the tiny bats most people picture, these guys are big. Their wingspan can reach around 20 inches, and they’re powerful aerial hunters that feed on flying insects. FWC notes that their diet has included beetles, flies, and true bugs.

Life After Dark

During the day, Florida bonneted bats shelter in roosts. Scientists have documented them using tree cavities, buildings, roofing tiles, and artificial bat houses. They typically live in small social groups, although larger groups have occasionally been observed.

At night, they take to the sky to hunt insects in flight.

And despite being Florida’s largest bat, there is still a surprising amount scientists are learning about the species—including exactly where many of its roosts are located and how its populations are distributed.

Why They Need Us

The Florida bonneted bat has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 2013. Its limited range means changes to relatively small portions of Florida can have a major effect on the species as a whole.

Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and modification from development and agriculture are among its biggest threats. Loss of natural roosting sites is particularly important, and because populations are small and isolated, major storms such as hurricanes can also have an outsized impact.

In 2024, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service designated approximately 1.2 million acres across 13 Florida counties as critical habitat for the species—areas considered essential to its survival and recovery.

Protecting the Bonneted Bat

Protecting this species ultimately means protecting the Florida habitats it depends on.

Conservation efforts include preserving and restoring habitat, protecting known roosting areas, studying populations and movement, and increasing the availability of suitable roost sites.

FWC-managed areas have also used bat houses to provide additional roosting opportunities.

Even small actions matter: keeping natural roosting habitat when possible, reducing unnecessary pesticide use, learning to coexist with bats, and supporting organizations working to conserve Florida wildlife and wild lands.

Why We Chose No. 001

The Florida bonneted bat represents everything we want The Wild Ones to be about.

It’s distinctly Floridian. It’s misunderstood. It’s incredibly unique. And its future depends on people knowing it exists.

Every quarter, The Wild Ones will introduce another threatened or endangered species through original Foxglove artwork, Field Notes like this one, and apparel created to get people talking about conservation.

$5 from every Wild Ones item sold goes back to conservation.

Because sometimes the first step toward protecting something is simply knowing its story.

Different species. Brighter tomorrows. Conservation looks good on you.