State Bat
Pallid BatAntrozous pallidus
The pallid bat is a common species of bat found throughout California in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts, oak woodlands, and forests.
Though the pallid bat weighs only about an ounce, their wingspan can measure up to 16 inches in length. Their fur and skin are pale in color. Pallid bats are social, live in colonies and use a variety of calls to communicate with one another.
Pallid bats are an essential part of many ecosystems. They help California farmers manage pests without the use of pesticides. Some pallid bats include bark beetles and wood borers in their diets, promoting healthy forests and resilient trees.
They also eat insects like mosquitos, wasps, and flies, helping to control the spread of diseases.
Explore our State Symbols
- Amphibian - Red Legged Frog
- Animal - California Grizzly Bear
- Bird - California Valley Quail
- Colors - Blue and Gold
- Dance - West Coast Swing
- Dinosaur – Augustynolophus Morrisi
- Fabric – Denim
- Fife and Drum Band – California Consolidated Drum Band
- Flag
- Flower – California Golden Poppy
- Folk Dance – Square Dance
- Fossil – Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Freshwater Fish – California Golden Trout
- Gemstone – Benitoite
- Gold Rush Ghost Town – Bodie
- Grass – Purple Needlegrass
- Historical Society
- Insect – California Dogface Butterfly
- LGBTQ Veterans Memorial
- Marine Fish – Garibaldi
- Marine Mammal – California Gray Whale
- Lichen – Lace Lichen
- Marine Reptile – Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Military Museum
- Mineral – Gold
- Motto – Eureka
- Nickname – Golden State
- Nuts: Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, Pecan
- Prehistoric Artifact
- Quarter
- Reptile – Desert Tortoise
- Rock – Serpentine
- Silver Rush Ghost Town – Calico
- Seal
- Soil – San Joaquin
- Song – “I Love You, California”
- Sport – Surfing
- Tall Ship – Californian
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- Theater – Pasadena Playhouse
- Tree – California Redwood
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
