Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mormopterus
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| Species: |
jugularis
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| Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat range | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat (Mormopterus jugularis) is a cool type of bat. It is also known as Peters's goblin bat. This bat belongs to a group called free-tailed bats. These bats are special because their tails stick out from their wing membranes.
You can only find this bat in Madagascar. It lives all over the island and is quite common in many places. These bats often sleep in buildings made by people. Sometimes, they even share their roosts with other kinds of free-tailed bats. When they hunt for food, they fly in open areas, often over farms.
Male Peters's wrinkle-lipped bats are bigger than the females. This difference in size between males and females is called sexual dimorphism.
About the Name
This bat was first described in 1865 by a German scientist named Wilhelm Peters. He gave it the scientific name Nyctinomus (Mormopterus) jugularis.
The name "jugularis" comes from a Latin word. Peters noted that the bat had a "fovea jugulari magna". This means it had a large dip or hollow near its throat, like a big suprasternal notch. This special feature likely inspired its scientific name.
What Does It Look Like?
The Peters's wrinkle-lipped bat is about 90 to 95 millimeters (3.5 to 3.7 inches) long from its head to its tail. Its forearm, which is part of its wing, is about 37 to 40 millimeters (1.5 to 1.6 inches) long. When its wings are spread out, they can be 262 to 288 millimeters (10.3 to 11.3 inches) wide. This bat usually weighs between 8 and 14 grams (0.28 to 0.49 ounces).
Its fur is soft and thick. The fur on its back is grayish-brown to a dark charcoal color. Its belly is a lighter shade. The bat has a blunt snout that points slightly upwards. Its ears are large and round, and their bases do not touch each other. It also has a clear tragus, which is a small flap of skin in front of the ear canal.
Where Does It Live?
This bat is found only in Madagascar. It has been seen living at different heights, from sea level up to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) high. It is very common in the western part of Madagascar. You can also find it along the southern coast of the island.
