Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat

As its name implies, this species has ears over an inch long. The genus name Corynorhinus means "club-nosed". Similar to Townsend's big-eared bat, this species has two lumps on either side of its nose. Rafinesque's big-eared bat is a medium-sized bat with a length around 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a wingspan of 25–30 cm (10–12 in). These bats range in weight from 6–13 g (0.21–0.46 oz). The bat is gray on the dorsal side and white on the underside. The ears and face are a pinkish-brown color, while the forearm and wing membrane are dark brown. Some sources report its maximum lifespan as 10 years, although robust data are lacking. More research has been done on the closely related Townsend's big-eared bat, and estimates for this species' lifespan range from 16 to 30 years in the wild. While uncommon throughout its range, this species is found in a variety of habitats from coastal plains and riparian areas to mountainous areas such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In all cases, these bats are associated with large areas of relatively mature forest.

Rafinesque's big-eared bats, like all bats in the southeastern United States, are insectivorous, nocturnal, and locate food primarily by echolocation. They consume a wide range of insects, including mosquitoes, beetles, and flies, although moths make up 90% of the diet. Insects can be caught by gleaning (e.g., from foliage or cave walls) or on the wing (i.e., aerial hawking).