Argentine brown bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Argentine brown bat |
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| An Argentine brown bat, sitting among rocks | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eptesicus
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| Species: |
furinalis
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| Argentine brown bat range | |
The Argentine brown bat (Eptesicus furinalis) is a type of bat found in South America and Central America. These bats are known for their unique features and how they live in different environments.
Contents
What Does the Argentine Brown Bat Look Like?
The Argentine brown bat is a small to medium-sized bat. Its fur on the back is usually a cinnamon brown color. The fur on its belly is darker, from dark brown to almost black. The color of their fur can change a bit depending on the time of year and the weather. For example, from mid-September to March, their fur might be a little lighter than in the summer.
These bats have strong bodies and a wide head. They also have short, round ears. Argentine brown bats are larger than some other bats in their family, like E. diminutus. However, they are smaller than E. basillensis and E. fuscus. One special feature is the length of their upper tooth row, which is usually between 5.4 and 6.3 millimeters long. Female Argentine brown bats are typically larger than males.
Where Do Argentine Brown Bats Live?
Habitat and Range
Argentine brown bats live in high areas, often more than 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level. You can usually find them in grasslands and forests. They do not live in very dry places. These bats prefer to live in forests close to rivers and lakes, where there is more moisture. They often make their homes in tree bark or cracks in rocks.
This bat species lives in a large area. Their range stretches from southern Mexico through parts of Central America. This includes countries like Belize, Guatemala, and Panama. In South America, they are found in northern regions, all the way down through Brazil and into Argentina. The farthest south they have been found is in La Pampa, Argentina.
What Do Argentine Brown Bats Eat?
Argentine brown bats are insectivores, meaning they eat insects. Their diet can change slightly depending on the season, whether it is the rainy or dry season. Like other bats, they use echolocation to hunt for food. This means they send out sounds and listen for the echoes to find their prey. They often hunt near streams and small bodies of water.
Their diet includes different types of moths, some beetles, and butterflies. One thing that can be harmful to Argentine brown bats is insecticides. These are chemicals used to kill insects. Bats can get sick if they eat insects that have been sprayed with insecticides.
How Do Argentine Brown Bats Reproduce?
Argentine brown bats can have babies all year round. Most bat species in tropical areas do not hibernate or go into a deep sleep during off-seasons. This allows them to reproduce throughout the year. However, it is more common for Argentine brown bats to breed during the rainy season. This is when there is more food available for them.
After mating, the mother bat is pregnant for about three months. Usually, only one or two babies are born at a time. Even though they can reproduce any time, both male and female bats experience times when their reproductive organs shrink. This usually happens in the dry season when there is less food available.
Argentine Brown Bats and Rabies
Argentine brown bats have been found to carry the rabies virus. This species is known to live close to human buildings. They sometimes even make nests in the rafters of homes. Argentine brown bats do not usually travel far. This means the chance of them spreading the rabies virus over long distances is small.
However, there have been cases in Brazil where these bats were found living in buildings. Out of 90 bats found in buildings in Brazil, about six tested positive for rabies. It is important to remember that wild animals should never be touched. If you see a bat, it's best to leave it alone and tell an adult.
See also
In Spanish: Murciélago pardo común para niños
