Oklahoma State Flying Mammal

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

(Tadarida brasiliensis)

Adopted on November 1, 2006.

The Mexican free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, is Oklahoma's Flying Mammal, adopted in 2006.

Oklahoma designated the Mexican free-tailed bat as the official state flying mammal in 2006. State Representative Jeff Hickman (one of the bill's sponsors) explained that the Mexican free-tailed bat flies to Oklahoma to breed and then flies back to its indigenous Mexico. He said, "Texas also has the Mexican free-tailed bat as its official flying mammal but the only thing it does in Texas is leave a few droppings on its way to Oklahoma."

A medium sized bat. Their bodies are about 9 centimeters in length, and they weigh about 15 grams. Their ears are wide and set apart to help them find prey with echolocation. Its fur color varies from dark brown to gray.

Description of the Oklahoma State Flying Mammal

The Governor has signed legislation naming the Mexican free-tailed bat as the official state flying mammal of Oklahoma.

The bat – unusual for its long, skinny tail and unique migratory pattern – has become a major tourist attraction for the Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area located in Freedom, Oklahoma, just west of Alabaster Caverns State Park.

Senator Owen Laughlin, author of Senate Bill 1678 recognizing the Mexican free-tailed bat as the state’s official flying mammal, said the legislation was authored to promote tourism.

“The Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area is a special tourist attraction,” said Laughlin, R-Woodward. “Each summer, tourists from all over the country visit the caves to observe the bats as they come to give birth and exit the cave for feeding at night. It really is a rare sight.”

Approximately one million bats migrate to the caves, which serve as a maternity colony, each year. Only female bats and their offspring migrate to the caves, making it an opportunity to observe particularly unusual behavioral patterns. At sundown, thousands of bats will ascend from the caves, many with their offspring hanging from their bodies, in a massive spiraling cloud to feed on insects.

“This mammal is good for Oklahoma in that it brings tourist dollars to our state, provides a learning experience for observers, and helps cut down on the mosquito population,” Laughlin said. “The bats will eat nearly 40 percent of their own body weight in mosquitos each night, which is great for area landowners. I encourage all Oklahomans to make plans to visit Alabaster Caverns State Park and take a tour of the Selman Bat Cave.”

Statutes

Oklahoma Statutes Citationized
Title 25. Definitions and General Provisions
Chapter 3 - State Emblems and Honorary Positions
Section 98.11 - State Flying Mammal
Cite as: O.S. §, __ __
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The Mexican free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, is hereby designated and adopted as the official state flying mammal of the State of Oklahoma.

Historical Data
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Added by Laws 2006, SB 1678, c. 37, § 1, eff. November 1, 2006.