Little yellow bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little yellow bat |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Rhogeessa
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| Species: |
parvula
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The little yellow bat (Rhogeessa parvula) is a tiny bat that lives only in Mexico. It is known for its yellowish fur. This bat is one of the smallest types of "vesper bats." Vesper bats are the largest family of bats, found all over the world.
What Does the Little Yellow Bat Look Like?
These bats are super small! Grown-up little yellow bats are only about 7 to 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) long. That's like the length of a crayon. Their forearm, which is part of their wing, is about 3 centimeters long. They weigh only 3 to 8 grams, which is lighter than a single grape!
Their size can change depending on where they live. The smallest ones are found in the Nayarit area of Mexico. Bats living further north or south of Nayarit tend to be a bit bigger.
As their name suggests, these bats have yellowish fur. Each hair is fawn or chestnut brown for most of its length. Near the skin, the fur is greyish brown. Their fur feels very silky. The fur on their belly is a lighter, greyer shade.
The little yellow bat's wings are black and do not have much hair. However, there is a small patch of fur on the membrane between their legs. Their tail reaches the end of this membrane. Their head is unusually small and narrow. They have whiskers, small pointed ears, and tiny eyes. They also have a small bump, like a wart, above each eye and another one below their chin.
You can tell little yellow bats apart from other bats in their family by their size. Also, the amount of fur on their leg membrane and the exact shape of their teeth help scientists identify them.
Where Do Little Yellow Bats Live?
Little yellow bats live only in Mexico. This means they are "endemic" to Mexico, found nowhere else in the world. They live along the western side of the country. Their home stretches from central Sonora south to western Oaxaca. They can be found from areas near the sea up to heights of about 1,219 meters (about 4,000 feet).
There are two main types, or "subspecies," of little yellow bats. The first type, called R. parvula parvula, lives in the northern part of their range. The second type, R. parvula major, lives in the southern part of their range.
Little Yellow Bat Habitat and Life Cycle
Little yellow bats prefer areas with warm, wet plants, known as "subtropical vegetation." They are often found near streams, lakes, or other fresh water. They have been seen in places with mesquite trees and cactus plants.
These bats are sometimes active after the sun rises and in the early afternoon. This is a bit unusual for bats, which are usually active only at night.
Female little yellow bats that are pregnant have been found between February and June. Young bats and mothers feeding their babies have been seen between June and September. A mother bat usually gives birth to one or two babies at a time.
