A large bat with glossy brown fur and dark brown to black wings, face and legs. Usually nocturnal, but occasionally seen in the daytime as here, Eats a large variety of insects which it catches on the wing. By day it generally roosts in caves, gaps between rocks, hollow trees, or man-made structures, such as church towers and abandoned buildings. In winter they are believed to mostly hibernate in caves and mines.

Native to the southern Canada, much of the United States and down into northern South America. Probably common in Wildwood.

There are a number of species of bats in Virginia, many of which could be expected in Wildwood. This one is perhaps the most common. It is said to be the most common to enter houses, so if you get one in your house, you can make a good guess at the identification.

Bats can carry rabies, but otherwise they are harmless to humans and do us much good by consuming large numbers of annoying insect pests.