Behn's bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Behn's bat |
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Glyphonycteris
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| Species: |
behnii
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Behn's bat is a special kind of bat found in Brazil and Peru. It's also known as Behn's big-eared bat or Behn's graybeard bat. Its scientific name is Glyphonycteris behnii. This bat is very rare; only six have ever been seen! It likes to eat insects and small fruits.
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What is Behn's Bat?
Behn's bat was first described in 1865 by a German scientist named Wilhelm Peters. He gave it the scientific name Schizostoma behnii. Later, other scientists studied it more. In 1906, Knud Andersen placed it in the group it's in today, Glyphonycteris. The name "behnii" honors another German zoologist, Wilhelm Friedrich Georg Behn.
How Does it Look?
Behn's bat has a forearm length of about 44 to 50 millimeters (about 1.7 to 2 inches). It has a special part on its nose called a nose-leaf. This part helps it use echolocation to find its way around and hunt. The nose-leaf is shaped like a spearhead, and it's about 1.5 times longer than it is wide.
What Does it Eat?
Scientists believe Behn's bat is an omnivore, which means it eats both plants and animals. Based on what similar bats eat, Behn's bat likely enjoys a diet of insects and small fruits. This helps it get all the energy it needs to fly and live.
Where Does it Live?
Behn's bat lives in South America. It has been found in parts of Brazil and Peru. In Brazil, it lives in an area called the Cerrado, which is a type of tropical grassland.
Why is it Important?
Behn's bat is considered a data deficient species by the IUCN. This means we don't have enough information about it. Only six of these bats have ever been officially recorded! Because so little is known, it's hard to tell how many there are or what dangers they face. One possible threat is that their homes are being turned into farmland. Learning more about Behn's bat is important to help protect this rare creature.
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