The only native terrestrial mammal in the Hawaiian Islands is the Hawaiian hoary Bat or ʻŌpeʻapeʻa. Almost a million years ago the bat travelled over 2,000 miles across the ocean to reach the islands from North America, with the help of the Trade Winds.
Where do they live?
The bats roost in trees rather than in caves or lava tubes. At sunset the bats leave the trees to hunt for prey, such as insects, in particular moths. On the Big Island they tend to have a seasonal pattern of migration, staying in low altitude areas in the summer before migrating to higher altitudes in the winter.
What do they look like?
The Hawaiian name for the bat, ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, means ‘half-leaf’ and refers to the shape of the bat when its wings are open, which bears a resemblance to the taro leaf. In size, the bat’s wingspan can grow up to one foot. The Hawaiian hoary bats have a frosty, silvery tinge to their fur which is brown and red in color. They weigh in at approximately 14-18 grams.
Endangered
The bat is an endangered species and remains the only native land mammal in the islands. Their exact numbers remains unknown but its estimated that they range from a few hundred to a few thousand. They have been found on all major islands and their numbers are thought to be larger on Kauai and the Big Island. In 2015, the ʻŌpeʻapeʻa became the official state land mammal of Hawaii.
It is rare to see them but we have seen the occasional one at Horizon at sunset skimming the surface of the pool.
