Dwarf little fruit bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dwarf little fruit bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhinophylla
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| Species: |
pumilio
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The dwarf little fruit bat (Rhinophylla pumilio) is a small bat found in South America. It belongs to a group of bats called leaf-nosed bats. These bats get their name from a special leaf-like shape on their nose.
What it Looks Like
As its name suggests, the dwarf little fruit bat is quite small. Adult bats are only about 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long from head to body. They weigh just 7 to 14 g (0.25 to 0.49 oz), which is about as much as a few grapes! Female bats are usually a little bigger than males.
Their fur is mostly dull brown or reddish-brown all over their body. Each hair has a white root, making their fur look a bit lighter underneath. Their ears are round and have no hair. They are pinkish-brown and have a small part called a tragus.
Special Features
One cool thing about these bats is their nose-leaf. This is a noticeable, leaf-shaped part on their nose. When flattened, it can reach all the way up to their forehead!
Their wing membranes, which are the skin parts of their wings, are blue. This color stands out against the white bones of their wings. The wing membranes stretch down to their toes. They also have a part called a uropatagium that goes halfway down their lower leg.
Unlike some other bats, the dwarf little fruit bat has no tail. This helps tell them apart from short-tailed fruit bats that live in the same areas. Another way to tell them apart is by the bumps on their chin. In dwarf little fruit bats, the middle bump is shaped like a triangle, not a circle. It also has soft, fleshy pads on either side.
Where it Lives
Dwarf little fruit bats live in many parts of northern South America. You can find them east of the Andes Mountains. This includes northern Bolivia, eastern Peru and Ecuador. They also live across northeastern and Amazonian Brazil. Their home range extends into southern Colombia and Venezuela, and all of the Guianas.
These bats are very common and often found in large numbers. They prefer to live in primary forests (forests that haven't been disturbed much) below 1,400 m (4,600 ft). However, they can also be found in places changed by humans. This includes farms, pastures, and open grasslands called savannahs.
Life and Habits
Dwarf little fruit bats are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. They enjoy a wide variety of fruits. Some of their favorite fruits come from plants like Philodendron, matico, arum, and figs. When they eat these fruits, they help spread the seeds. The seeds pass through their bodies without being harmed, helping new plants grow. They have also been seen eating pollen from some plants.
Daily Life
These bats are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. During the day, they rest in special roosts. They build these roosts by folding the leaves of Philodendron plants or similar plants. These roosts are usually 1.5 to 15 m (4 ft 11 in to 49 ft 3 in) above the ground.
The bats don't stay in one roost for long. They move to a new one every few days. They live in small groups, usually with one male bat and up to three female bats.
The dwarf little fruit bats are most active right after sunset and just before sunrise. They search for food in the middle and lower parts of the forest. Each night, they can cover an area of 5 to 15 ha (12 to 37 acres) while looking for food.
Reproduction
Scientists have found pregnant female bats at different times of the year. This suggests that these bats do not have a specific breeding season. Instead, they might be able to have babies at any time. When a female bat gives birth, she usually has one baby at a time.
