Hoary Bats

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Hawaii only has one endemic land mammal and that is the Hawaiian Hoary bat or ʻōpeʻapeʻa (Aeorestes semotus). They can be sighted on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, the Big Island, and Maui. It's believed that these bats migrated to Hawaii from the US west coast at two separated times. But documented breeding populations are present only on Kauai and the Big island. The first migration was perhaps a thousand years ago and the second, about ten thousand years ago.

Well recognized by its silver frost appearance at the ends of their brown and black fur.

Their diet consist of mainly insects and they can grow to about 6 inches with a wingspan of 12 inches.

The Hawaiian Hoary bat can produce various sound frequencies to detect its insect prey.




Unfortunately, the Hoary bat have been on the endangered species list since 1970. Their low population is a result of deforestation and pesticide use.

It's quite rare to spot a Hawaiian Hoary bat, due to the fact that they prefer solitary locations. If they were to be seen, it would probably be in the early evenings, maybe by a stream or bay. 

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