Inland free-tailed bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inland free-tailed bat |
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The inland free-tailed bat (scientific name: Ozimops petersi) is a special type of bat found in Australia. It's known for something truly amazing: it can handle the widest range of body temperatures of any mammal we know!
Contents
How Scientists Name Animals
This bat was first described in 1884 by a Swedish zoologist named Dr. Wilhelm Leche. He got some bat specimens from a dealer and realized this one was a new species.
For a long time, scientists thought this bat was the same as another species called Mormopterus planiceps. But in 2014, a new study looked closely at the bats' bodies and their genetics. This study showed that the inland free-tailed bat was different enough to be its own species. So, it got its own special name again!
Dr. Leche first put this bat in a group called Nyctinomus. The second part of its name, "petersi", might have been chosen to honor Wilhelm Peters. He was a German naturalist who studied many bats and had passed away just a year before this bat was named.
What Does It Look Like?
The inland free-tailed bat looks a bit like the east-coast free-tailed bat. However, its skull is flatter and more squished.
This is a small bat. Its head and body are about 57 mm (2.2 in) long. That's about the length of your thumb! Its tail is about 33 mm (1.3 in) long. The part of its tail that sticks out past the wing membrane is about 12 mm (0.47 in). Its forearm, which is part of its wing, is about 34 mm (1.3 in) long.
The bat's tragus, which is a small flap of skin in its ear, is tiny. It's only about 3 mm (0.12 in) long. This bat weighs between 7.5–11.8 g (0.26–0.42 oz). That's about as light as a few paper clips!
Amazing Bat Habits
The inland free-tailed bat is a nocturnal animal. This means it is active at night. During the day, it rests in safe places. These can be tree hollows or even under metal roofs.
Reproduction
Female bats usually have one breeding season each year. They give birth in November or December. They typically have one baby at a time, which is called a "pup."
Super Survivors!
This bat has an incredible superpower: it can handle the most extreme body temperatures of any known mammal! Its body temperature has been recorded as low as 3.3 °C (37.9 °F). It can also go as high as 45.8 °C (114.4 °F).
This upper temperature limit is even higher than what has been recorded for camels! Bats can survive these very hot or very cold temperatures by using something called torpor. Torpor is like a deep sleep where their body slows down to save energy.
Protecting This Bat
As of 2020, the IUCN lists the inland free-tailed bat as "least concern." This is the lowest priority for conservation.
It has this status because it lives in a very large area. It can also live in many different types of habitats. Scientists believe there are many of these bats, and they are seen regularly. Its population might be over one million bats, but this number could be slowly going down.
