Gobi big brown bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gobi big brown bat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eptesicus
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| Species: |
gobiensis
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The Gobi big brown bat (scientific name: Eptesicus gobiensis) is a type of vesper bat. These bats live in parts of Asia, including countries like Afghanistan, China, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Russia. A Russian scientist named Nikolay Alekseyevich Bobrinski first officially described this bat in 1926. He found the first example of this bat in the Altai Mountains in the Gobi Desert.
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What Does the Gobi Bat Look Like?
The Gobi big brown bat is a small bat. Its body is about 57 to 65 mm (2.2 to 2.6 in) long. Its forearm, which is part of its wing, measures 38 to 42 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in).
The fur on its back is a reddish-yellow color. The bottom parts of these hairs are dark brown. The fur on its belly is brownish-white. This bat also has special teeth. The inner front teeth in its upper jaw are taller than the outer ones.
Where Does the Gobi Bat Live?
The Gobi big brown bat lives in central Asia. Its home range stretches from Alborz in northern Iran, through Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and northern India. It also lives in Mongolia, Tuva in southern Siberia, and eastern China.
These bats usually live in deserts, semi-desert areas, and mountains. They might rest alone or in small groups. They often choose shady spots, cracks in rocks, or inside old buildings. Sometimes, they use the outer parts of caves. However, they do not roost in trees.
What Does the Gobi Bat Eat?
Scientists have not studied the Gobi big brown bat very much. Like other vesper bats, it is an insectivore. This means it eats insects. It is thought that its diet might include butterflies.
Nocturnal birds of prey likely hunt these bats. These are birds that hunt at night, like owls.
Is the Gobi Bat Endangered?
The Gobi big brown bat has a large total population. It also lives across a wide area. We do not know if its numbers are going up or down. However, scientists have not seen any major decrease in its population. This bat does not seem to be facing any big threats right now.
In the future, droughts could affect this species. This is because water sources might dry up. Building a dam on a river in the Great Lakes Depression could also impact them. About 17% of this bat's home in Mongolia is in protected areas. Parts of its range in Russia and Kazakhstan are also protected. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says its conservation status is "least concern". This means it is not currently at risk of extinction.
