The range of the eastern red bat extends east from the Rocky Mountains between Canada and central Florida, and the species is the most abundant tree bat in North America. It is medium-sized, with a total length of between 93 and 117 mm and an average wingspan of 330 mm. 

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Eastern red bats are mainly solitary and roost in the foliage of deciduous and evergreen trees in which their coloration actually provides them camouflage abilities by causing them to appear as dead leaves or pine cones. The species tends to migrate to warmer regions for hibernation, and once there they often employ hollow trees as hibernacula. 

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Unlike most other bat species, which tend to produce only one offspring at a time, eastern red bats average three pups per litter but can have as many as five.

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The species is insectivorous and feeds on flying insects which are hunted using echolocation. 

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As one of the three tree-hibernating bat species in Connecticut, the eastern red bat is not negatively affected by white-nose syndrome which plagues cave bats, however, the species is present in low numbers in Connecticut and listed as a species of Special Concern and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the state due to habitat loss and fragmentation. 

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