There is no single species identified simply as “the black and white bat.” The description can fit different bats, and the two clearest matches here are Australia’s Little Pied Bat and North America’s Spotted Bat. Their markings and ranges are different, so location and the placement of the white fur are the best first clues.
What bat is black and white?
“Black and white bat” is a description, not a unique common name. A bat with white markings might be a Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus) in Australia or a Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) in western North America. The two species are not interchangeable: one has white fur along its sides forming a V, while the other has three large white spots on its back.
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How to tell the Little Pied Bat from the Spotted Bat
| Clue | Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus) | Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Glossy black back, grey belly, and white flank fur forming a V | Black back with three large white spots and a white underside |
| Range | Inland Queensland and New South Wales, extending slightly into South Australia and Victoria | Arid western North America, from south-central British Columbia to northern Mexico; distribution is patchy |
| Habitat and roosts described by government sources | Dry open forest, open woodland, Mulga woodland, chenopod shrublands, cypress pine forest, mallee, and Bimbil box woodland. Roosts include caves, rock outcrops, mines, tunnels, tree hollows, and buildings. | Arid-region habitat; suitable cliff crevices serve as day roosts and nursery sites. |
| Conservation information | The NSW Government profile, last updated 1 December 2017, lists it as Vulnerable in NSW and not listed under Commonwealth status. | A British Columbia government brochure describes it as nationally Vulnerable in Canada and says the BC population size is unknown. |
These descriptions are drawn from the NSW Government Little Pied Bat profile and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment Spotted Bat brochure.
Where the Little Pied Bat lives
The Little Pied Bat occurs mainly in inland Queensland and New South Wales, with a small extension into South Australia and Victoria. The NSW profile describes it from a range of dry habitats, including open forest and woodland, Mulga woodland, chenopod shrublands, cypress pine forest, mallee, and Bimbil box woodland. Although it tolerates heat and dry conditions, it needs open water nearby.
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Its roost choices include both natural and human-made places: caves, rock outcrops, old mines, tunnels, tree hollows, and buildings. The NSW profile also notes potential threats including habitat modification, cats, pesticides near foraging areas, inappropriate fire regimes, and removal of trees with hollows. It says breeding ecology is not well understood.
What the Little Pied Bat looks like
The NSW Government describes it as “a distinctive black and white bat that weighs four to eight grams.” That weight is from the profile last updated 1 December 2017. Look for white fur along the flanks joining into a V, rather than isolated white spots on the back. The profile says it feeds on moths and possibly other flying invertebrates.
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Where the Spotted Bat lives
The Spotted Bat’s range stretches through arid western North America from south-central British Columbia to northern Mexico, but it is unevenly distributed. The British Columbia government brochure describes suitable cliff crevices as day-roost and nursery sites. It identifies development and recreation near cliffs as concerns and discusses roost availability, foraging terrain, food, climate, and other factors as possible limits on the species.
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The brochure calls the bat one of North America’s rarest and reports only a few noted in each BC area, while stating that the actual BC population is unknown. Those remarks are not a current population estimate. It also describes an adult weight of around 20 g and a wingspan of about 35 cm; the brochure’s publication year is not stated here.
What to do if you have seen one
- Start with location. A bat seen in inland eastern Australia could fit the Little Pied Bat’s range; a sighting in arid western North America could fit the Spotted Bat’s range.
- Check the pattern, not just the colors. A V of white flank fur points toward the Little Pied Bat; three distinct white spots on a black back match the Spotted Bat description.
- Do not treat appearance alone as a confirmed identification. If the bat is roosting or active, observe from a distance and avoid handling it. A local wildlife authority or bat specialist can help assess a photograph and location.
Are either of these bats endangered?
The available status descriptions apply to different jurisdictions and dates, so they should not be treated as a direct comparison. The NSW Government profile’s Little Pied Bat listing was last updated in 2017; the British Columbia brochure describes the Spotted Bat as nationally Vulnerable in Canada and states that its BC population size is unknown. For a decision that depends on current legal protections, check the relevant government authority’s latest listing.
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