Pied butterfly bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pied butterfly bat |
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| Genus: |
Glauconycteris
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| Species: |
superba
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The pied butterfly bat (Glauconycteris superba) is a very rare type of bat. It is also known as the pied bat or badger bat. This special bat belongs to a group called vesper bats, which are part of the Vespertilionidae family.
What Makes the Pied Bat Special?
The pied butterfly bat is quite unique! It has a very striking look. Its body has light yellow stripes and blotches. This pattern makes it look a bit like a bee. This special coloring helps it stand out.
Where Do These Bats Live?
The pied butterfly bat is found in several countries in Africa. You can find them in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and South Sudan.
These bats prefer to live in certain places. Their natural homes are in warm, wet forests. They like both lowland forests and dry forests. These areas provide the perfect environment for them to find food and shelter.
Discovering the Pied Bat
Scientists first found this bat in 1939. It was discovered in a place that is now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When it was first found, scientists gave it the name Glauconycteris superba.
For a long time, very few of these bats were seen. Then, in 2013, a pied bat was caught in South Sudan. This was only the fifth time this rare bat had ever been recorded!
Scientists studied this new bat very carefully. They noticed it was so different from other bats in its group. Its head, wings, size, and ears were all very unique. Because it was so special, they thought it needed its own new group, or "genus." They named this new genus Niumbaha. This name comes from the Zande language and means "rare."
However, after more study, scientists decided to put the pied bat back into its original group, Glauconycteris. This is because keeping Niumbaha as a separate group would make the Glauconycteris group confusing. So, for now, the pied butterfly bat is still known as Glauconycteris superba.
