What kind of bats are native to Baltimore, Maryland?

Question

I started taking walks at sunset and when it gets dark in my home of Aero Acres in Middle River, Maryland (zip 21220) I see these small little bats flying around. They are few in a number but spread out enough along a mile or so that I know they aren't just a fluke or what not. On my street there aren't any and the mosquito problem is horrendous. We are thinking about getting something to attract bats our way to help with the insect problem but first I was wondering if there was a way to identify what kind of bats these are. Basically its too dark to see details but I could guesstimate their wingspan and length from nose to feet. It would probably be more helpful just to find out what kind of bats are native to this region but I can't seem to find anything reliable. Anyone know?

Answer 1

A bat is a mammal in the order Chiroptera. Their most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of flight (though other mammals, such as flying squirrels, gliding flying possums and colugos, can glide for limited distances). The word Chiroptera comes from the Greek words cheir "hand" and pteron "wing," as the structure of the open wing is very similar to an outspread human hand with a membrane (patagium) between the fingers that also stretches between hand and body.

A measure of the success of bats is their estimated total of about 1,100 species of bats worldwide, accounting for about 20 percent of all mammal species.[2] About 70 percent of bats are insectivores. Most of the rest are frugivores, with a few species being carnivorous. Bats are present throughout most of the world.

Bats perform a vital ecological role by pollinating some flowers, and also have an important role in seed dispersal; indeed, many tropical plants are entirely dependent on bats. This role explains environmental concerns when a bat is introduced in a new setting.[clarify] Tenerife provides a recent example with the introduction of the Egyptian fruit bat.[clarify] Bats range in size from the Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat to the Giant golden-crowned flying fox.

Answer 2

You have 10 bat species native to Maryland.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/bats...

Concrete bridges provide wonderful roosting spots for bats.  You could also construct a bat house.

http://www.batcon.org/home/index.asp?idP...

Answer 3

10 species of bats live in 21220  in maine.

Make bathouses bathouses attract bats.

http://www.wildaboutgardening.org/en/fea...

http://www.enature.com/home/

Answer 4

Since you have already been given a list of species..here is a site with ways besides bat houses to attract them to your yard.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2057826_attract-...