Vespertilionid Bats: Vespertilionidae

The Red List of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) contains two Extinct, died out, species; seven Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild; twenty Endangered, facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild; fifty-two Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction; and seventy-three Near Threatened, not currently threatened, but could become so. Those categories total 154 bats, more than half of all vespertilionid species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists thirteen vespertilionid bats as endangered. For many of the species, habitat destruction and pesticide use are major reasons for their declines. Both organized and grassroots efforts are now under way to protect many bat populations. These include the preservation of roosting and hibernation sites.