West Virginia is home to 14 known species of bats. All are insect eaters, which helps to control pests in the state.

Most of our bats hibernate in caves during winter. Caves stay cool but above freezing, allowing bats to enter a deep sleep, slow their metabolism, and survive on stored fat. Bats use echolocation to navigate, allowing them to "see with their ears" in total darkness. Most bats give birth to only one young (called a pup) each year, which can fly within three to four weeks. The Virginia big-eared bat is the only species in the state that raises its pups inside caves. Four species, like the large hoary bat, are tree bats, living in foliage or bark, and then migrate south for the winter instead of hibernating in caves.

Since 2009, a devastating disease called White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has been killing cave-dwelling bats across the state. WNS is caused by a cold-loving fungus that affects bats while they hibernate. It causes them to wake up too often, burning through their stored fat and causing them to starve to death before spring. Mortality rates have been over 90% in some caves. The bats hit hardest are the little brown bat, northern long-eared bat (both endangered), and tricolored bat.