Lesser sac-winged bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser sac-winged bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Saccopteryx
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| Species: |
leptura
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| Lesser sac-winged bat range | |
The lesser sac-winged bat or lesser white-lined bat (Saccopteryx leptura) is a type of bat. It belongs to the family Emballonuridae. These bats live in South and Middle America.
Contents
What Does the Lesser Sac-winged Bat Look Like?
The lesser white-lined bat is part of the Saccopteryx group. It has special white stripes on its back. These stripes start at its shoulders and go all the way down. Its fur is usually brown. These bats are about 45 millimetres (1.8 in) long.
It looks a bit like another bat, Rhynchonycteris naso. However, the lesser sac-winged bat is a little smaller. Its fur is also lighter in color. R. naso has white fur on its forearm, but S. leptura does not.
Special Glands and Differences Between Males and Females
This bat has a unique gland on its arm. This gland produces a strong smell. The opening of this gland is on the top part of its wing. In male bats, this opening is larger than in females.
Male and female lesser sac-winged bats are different sizes. The female bat is usually larger than the male.
Where Do Lesser Sac-winged Bats Live?
The lesser white-lined bat is native to northern South America. It also lives in parts of Central America. You can find these bats in thick forest areas. They usually rest, or roost, in trees.
These bats like open spaces for roosting. While they prefer trees, they have also been found resting inside buildings. They do not seem to pick a specific type of tree. However, they like areas with a lot of tree cover. They do not need to roost near water.
Most of these bats live in low areas. But they can also be found in places up to 900 meters high. Lesser sac-winged bats might live near other bat species. Yet, they usually hunt for food in different places. For example, R. naso hunts over water. S. leptura hunts higher up, near the tops of trees.
What Do Lesser Sac-winged Bats Eat and How Do They Behave?
The lesser white-lined bat mainly eats flying insects. These insects belong to the order Hymenoptera. This includes flying ants and other similar insects. The bats hunt for food under tree canopies. They use echolocation to find these flying insects. Echolocation means they send out sounds and listen for echoes. This helps them locate their prey. When hunting, they do not change their calling sounds or mouth size.
Group Life and Reproduction
When resting, these bats usually form small groups. A group can have anywhere from 2 to 9 bats. Scientists believe these bats are monogamous. This means they usually have only one partner.
Female bats typically have one or two babies each year. The young bats cannot fly for about 12 days after they are born. The mother bat takes care of her young for up to 18 months. Female bats are known to protect the areas where they hunt for food. Male bats, however, do not usually defend these areas.
