Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hipposideros
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| Species: |
pygmaeus
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| Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat range | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat (Hipposideros pygmaeus) is a tiny bat found only in the Philippines. It's also known as the Philippine pygmy leaf-nosed bat. This special bat belongs to a family called Hipposideridae. You can find it on islands like Bohol, Luzon, Marinduque, Negros, Panay, and Mindanao.
How This Bat Got Its Name
This bat was first described as a new species in 1843. An English scientist named George Robert Waterhouse gave it its scientific name. He called it Rhinolophus pygmaeus at first. The word "pygmaeus" comes from Latin and means "small." Waterhouse thought it was a very small bat.
Where These Bats Live and How They're Doing
The Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat lives on several islands in the Philippines. These bats often make their homes in caves. They also live in underground places that are not filled with water. You can find them in forests, especially in lowland areas. They like limestone caves too.
People used to think these bats were very sensitive to changes in their habitat. Things like cutting down forests and mining can be harmful. But now, scientists believe these bats are tougher than we thought. They can handle some changes in their environment. Sometimes, local people hunt these bats for food. However, this hunting does not seem to harm the overall bat population too much.
