With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
California Now Has a State Bat
The Pallid Bat is California's newest state animal.
(
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
)
What do a frog, a bat, and a butterfly have in common? They're all members of California's list of state animals.
Beginning in 2024, the pallid bat becomes the official state bat after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate bill 732.
Why choose a state bat
Burbank congress member Caroline Menjivar sponsored the bill, which states that bats have provided California with more than $1 billion worth of pest control to the state's agricultural land. They've also helped reduce the state's fire risk with their consumption of bark beetles and wood borers.
Sponsored message
What a pallid bat looks like
The species, also known as Antrozus pallidus, can be found in the desert, oak woodlands, coastal redwood forests, and in the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It has tan fur, a white underbelly, large ears, a pig-like snout, small eyes, and a wingspan of up to 16 inches.
The pallid bat is preyed on by ground predators like foxes, raccoons, snakes, cats, and large amphibians. Unlike a lot of other bat species, it can catch its prey on the ground as well as in the air.
The pallid bat joins California's long list of state symbols, including the California grizzly as the state animal and the California gray whale as the official state marine mammal.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
