Lesser false vampire bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser false vampire bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Megaderma
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| Species: |
spasma
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| Lesser false vampire bat range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Vespertilio spasma Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The lesser false vampire bat (Megaderma spasma) is a fascinating type of bat found in parts of Asia. You can find them from Sri Lanka and India in the west, all the way to Indonesia and the Philippines in the east. These bats often make their homes in caves and hollow trees. They are mostly insectivorous, meaning they love to eat insects.
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About the Lesser False Vampire Bat
These bats can have a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches). Their body, from head to tail, is around 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. Their forearms, which support their wings, are usually about 7 centimeters (about 2.7 inches) long.
When you see their wings spread out with light behind them, you might notice yellowish veins. This gives their wings a cool yellow or orange glow! Their body fur can be grey-brown or even blue-brown. Lesser false vampire bats like to live in different places. They can be found in cracks in rocks, caves, thick leaves, or hollow trees. They also like to hang and sleep on trees.
How They Find Food
The lesser false vampire bat has pale grey to grey-brown fur. It has a special noseleaf, which is a fleshy part on its nose. This noseleaf has a stiff ridge and broad flaps on the sides. Their ears are very large and are joined together at the bottom. They also don't have a visible tail.
These bats use a special skill called echolocation to find their way around and hunt. They send out short, low-density sound pulses. Their big ears are super sensitive! They can hear the echoes that bounce back from their sound pulses. But even cooler, they can also hear the tiny sounds that their prey makes. This helps them find their next meal.
Even though they use sound, M. spasma also has good eyesight. They have well-developed eyes that point forward, which means they can also find their prey by seeing it.
What They Eat
Lesser false vampire bats love to eat grasshoppers and moths. But sometimes, they also eat small vertebrates. This can even include other bats!
Bat Homes and Groups
M. spasma usually roosts, or rests, in groups. These groups can have anywhere from 3 to 30 bats living together. They like to make their homes in caves, pits, buildings, and hollow trees.
Importance of These Bats
Lesser false vampire bats play a role in nature. They can be helpful to humans because they eat insects that might harm crops. However, like many animals, they can sometimes carry and pass on certain diseases.
