Japanese long-eared bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Japanese Long-eared Bat |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Plecotus |
| Species: |
P. sacrimontis
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| Binomial name | |
| Plecotus sacrimontis G. M. Allen, 1908
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| Synonyms | |
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The Japanese long-eared bat (Plecotus sacrimontis) is a small, furry creature with very long ears. It lives only in Japan, on islands like Hokkaido, Honshu, and Shikoku. People sometimes call it the 'rabbit bat' because of its big ears! This bat is a type of vesper bat, which means it's active at dusk and dawn.
For a long time, scientists thought this bat was just a kind of European bat. But new studies show it is its own special species.
About This Bat's Name
This bat was first described as a new species in 1908 by an American zoologist named Glover Morrill Allen. A specimen of the bat was found on Mount Fuji in December 1906.
The bat's scientific name, "sacrimontis", comes from two Latin words. "Sacer" means "sacred," and "mons" means "mountain." So, its name means "sacred mountain bat," likely because it was first found on Mount Fuji.
For many years, scientists debated if this bat was a separate species or just a subspecies of a European bat. In 1942, it was thought to be a subspecies. However, in 2006, new genetic studies showed that the Japanese long-eared bat is quite different from other bats in its group. This research confirmed it should be considered a full species on its own.
What It Looks Like
The Japanese long-eared bat has soft, woolly fur. It also has a "mask" of darker fur on its face, which makes it look unique. Of course, its most noticeable feature is its very long ears!
Where It Lives
This bat lives on several islands in Japan. You can find it on Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Rebun, and Rishiri. It also lives on some of the Kuril Islands, specifically Iturup and Kunashir. These bats can be found in places that are high up, from about 700 to 1,700 meters (about 2,300 to 5,600 feet) above sea level.
How We Protect This Bat
As of 2019, the Japanese long-eared bat is considered a least-concern species by the IUCN. This means that its population is stable, and it is not currently at risk of disappearing. Scientists continue to monitor bat populations to make sure they stay healthy.
 | Valerie Thomas |
 | Frederick McKinley Jones |
 | George Edward Alcorn Jr. |
 | Thomas Mensah |
