Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Natalus
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| Species: |
jamaicensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Natalus major jamaicensis |
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The Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat (Natalus jamaicensis) is a special type of funnel-eared bat. It lives only in Jamaica. This small bat was first discovered in 1959. Scientists first thought it was a subspecies, but now it is known as its own unique species. It looks similar to other bats in the Natalus group. This bat lives only in St. Clair Cave in Jamaica and eats insects.
What Does It Look Like?
This bat has a unique look. It has a rounded head and a long, flat snout. The space between its eyes is quite narrow. Its forearms are about 44–46 mm (1.7–1.8 in) long. The bat's fur is a buffy color, which is a pale yellowish-brown.
Where Does It Live?
The Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat is very rare. It is found in only one place in the world: St. Clair Cave in St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica. This cave is its only known home.
Why Is It Endangered?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says this bat is Critically Endangered. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. There are a few reasons for this:
- It lives in a very small area, less than 100 square kilometers.
- All the bats live in just one cave. If something bad happens to that cave, the whole species could be lost.
- The cave's environment is getting worse.
- There are also feral cats living in the cave. These cats might hunt and eat the bats.
Because of these threats, the Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat needs a lot of help. In 2013, Bat Conservation International put this bat on its list of 35 top priority species for conservation around the world.
