Cyclops roundleaf bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cyclops roundleaf bat |
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| Conservation status | |
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Doryrhina
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| Species: |
cyclops
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| Cyclops roundleaf bat range | |
The cyclops roundleaf bat (Doryrhina cyclops) is a special type of bat that lives in the forests of central Africa. It gets its name from a unique feature on its head. This bat belongs to a family called Hipposideridae, which are known for their interesting nose shapes. It is closely related to the greater roundleaf bat.
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What Does the Cyclops Roundleaf Bat Look Like?
Cyclops roundleaf bats are quite small. An adult bat is usually about 10 to 13 centimeters (4 to 5 inches) long, including its tail, which is about 3 centimeters (1 inch) long. Female bats are a bit heavier than males, weighing around 35 grams (1.2 ounces), while males weigh about 29 grams (1 ounce).
Their bodies are covered in thick, woolly fur that is dark brown. This fur often has lighter spots, making it look "grizzled." Their wings are a very dark brown, almost black.
The Bat's Unique Nose and "Cyclops" Feature
These bats have long, pointy ears. Their nose has a very special shape, called a nose-leaf. It looks like a rounded horseshoe over their snout, with two parts that stick out on each side. Both parts of the nose-leaf also have small, club-like bumps in the middle.
The "cyclops" part of the bat's name comes from a small, round opening on its forehead. This opening is usually hidden by the nose-leaf. It leads to a tiny sac lined with white hairs. This sac makes a waxy substance, but scientists are not sure what it is for.
Male bats have a special scent gland that makes a musky-smelling fluid. Female bats have two working nipples on their chest and two extra, non-working ones on their belly. These extra nipples help them hold their young safely.
Where Do Cyclops Roundleaf Bats Live?
The cyclops roundleaf bat lives across a large part of central Africa. You can find them along the southern coast of West Africa, from Senegal and Gambia all the way to Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. They also live in the northern and western parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through Uganda and Rwanda, and even on the eastern coasts of Kenya and Tanzania.
These bats prefer to live in tropical forests, especially in areas up to 1,200 meters (about 3,900 feet) high. They can also be found in smaller patches of forest near grassy plains, and even in human-made plantations.
How Do Cyclops Roundleaf Bats Behave?
During the day, cyclops roundleaf bats rest in hollow trees. They often choose cavities that are as high off the ground as possible. Their groups, called colonies, are usually small, with no more than twelve bats. These groups often include one to three males and several females. Some male bats prefer to roost alone. Sometimes, they even share their roosting spots with other animals, like scaly-tailed squirrels.
What Do Cyclops Roundleaf Bats Eat?
Cyclops roundleaf bats eat insects. They especially like hawk moths and cicadas, but they also eat beetles, flies, and ants. They use echolocation to find their food. This means they send out high-pitched sounds and listen for the echoes to create a map of their surroundings. Their echolocation calls include a constant sound at 58 to 60 kHz. People have also reported hearing them make very high-pitched squeaking sounds while flying.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
These bats have a specific time of year when they have babies, but the timing can be different depending on where they live. This breeding season can happen anytime between December and July. A female bat is pregnant for up to three and a half months, and she usually gives birth to just one baby bat at a time.
