Lesser long-tongued bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser long-tongued bat |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Phyllostomidae |
| Genus: | Choeroniscus |
| Species: |
C. minor
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| Binomial name | |
| Choeroniscus minor Peters, 1868
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| Lesser long-tongued bat range | |
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| Synonyms | |
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C. intermedius (J.A. Allen & Chapman, 1893) |
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The lesser long-tongued bat (Choeroniscus minor) is a fascinating bat species. It's also known as the lesser long-tailed bat. You can find this small bat living in South America.
Contents
About the Lesser Long-Tongued Bat
These bats are quite small. They are usually about 6 to 7 centimeters (about 2.5 to 3 inches) long. That's roughly the length of your finger! They weigh between 7 and 12 grams, which is less than a handful of coins. Female bats are a tiny bit bigger than males.
Their bodies are covered in thick, dark brown or almost black fur. They have a short tail, only about 6 to 9 millimeters long. Half of their tail is hidden inside a special skin flap called the uropatagium. This flap is part of their wing membrane that stretches between their legs.
What Makes Them Special?
As their name suggests, these bats have a long, thin snout. It's perfect for reaching into flowers! At the tip of their snout, they have a small, triangular nose-leaf. Their ears are round with interesting folds.
But the most amazing part is their tongue! It's incredibly long, sometimes reaching up to half of their entire body length! They can even stick it out when their mouth is closed. The tip of their tongue has tiny bristles. These bristles help the bat slurp up nectar from flowers. Their teeth are small and delicate, except for their canine teeth, which are a bit bigger.
Where Do These Bats Live?
The lesser long-tongued bat lives in tropical rainforests. You can find them across the Amazon Basin in Brazil. They also live north in the Guianas, Colombia, Venezuela, and on the island of Trinidad. To the west, they are found in Ecuador, Peru, and northern Bolivia. They prefer to live in low-lying areas. Sometimes, they can be found in montane forests up to 1,300 meters (about 4,265 feet) high.
Life and Habits of the Bat
These bats are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. Their favorite foods are nectar and pollen from flowers. Their long tongues and narrow snouts are perfect for this job! They also eat a small number of insects.
During the day, lesser long-tongued bats like to rest. They usually roost alone or in small groups. They find shelter under logs or inside hollow trees. They prefer to stay close to the ground, usually no more than 70 centimeters (about 2.3 feet) up. Scientists are still learning more about their daily lives and habits!
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