Indiana bat proposed as official state mammal

A grassroots campaign titled ‘Our State, Our Bat’ is collecting signatures to urge Indiana lawmakers to designate the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) as the state’s official mammal. While Indiana has established state symbols for its bird, flower, insect, and drink, it currently lacks an official state mammal.

The Indiana bat has a historical connection to the region; the original specimen was collected at Wyandotte Cave in Crawford County in 1904. The species was formally described by scientists in 1928 and named after the state where it was first documented.

The Indiana bat is a federally endangered species facing significant threats from habitat loss and white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has severely impacted bat populations. Organizers hope the official designation will celebrate the state’s natural history and increase awareness for the conservation of the species.