The Big Free-tailed Bat has several distinguishing physical characteristics.
Like its cousin, the more common Mexican Free-tailed Bat, it has a ‘tail’ that extends well beyond the posterior of the tail membrane.
Members of this species range in color from reddish-brown to dark brown to black and have a distinct glossiness to their velvety coat.
The ears are large and extend noticeably forward past their nose and join at their bases on top of their head.
Their lips are wrinkled, and their legs are short and extraordinarily strong.
This bat forages for moths late at night and makes loud chirps or clicks while hunting that that can be heard by the human ear.