Antioquian sac-winged bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antioquian sac-winged bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Saccopteryx
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| Species: |
antioquensis
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| Antioquian Sac-winged Bat range | |
The Antioquian sac-winged bat (scientific name: Saccopteryx antioquensis) is a special type of bat. It belongs to a family called Emballonuridae, also known as sac-winged bats. This rare bat lives only in Colombia, a country in South America.
Contents
How This Bat Was Found
First Sightings in Colombia
The Antioquian sac-winged bat gets its name from Antioquia. This is a state in Colombia where the bat was first found. So far, only two of these bats have ever been seen by scientists. Both were found in Eastern Antioquia.
The first bat was discovered in March 1996. It was an adult male found on a church wall. This church was in the Colombian town of Sonsón. The second bat was also an adult male. It was found in April 1996. This bat was near San Luis, Colombia. It was close to a karst formation, which is a type of rocky landscape.
What Does This Bat Look Like?
Size and Body Features
This bat is a medium-sized bat for its group, called a genus. Its forearm, which is like its lower arm, measures about 36 to 38 millimeters (1.4 to 1.5 inches). Its whole body, from head to tail, is about 50 to 54 millimeters (2 to 2.1 inches) long. The tail itself is quite short, only about 10 to 12 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long. Its ears are about 11 to 13 millimeters (0.4 to 0.5 inches) long.
Teeth and Fur
The Antioquian sac-winged bat has a special set of teeth. Scientists use a "dental formula" to describe them. For this bat, it is 1.1.2.3 on the top jaw and 3.1.2.3 on the bottom jaw. This means it has a certain number of different types of teeth. Its teeth are generally small and delicate.
One special thing about this bat is that it does not have white lines on its back. Many other bats in its group do have these lines. About two-thirds of its tail membrane, called the uropatagium, is covered in fur. The fur on its back is dark brown. Each hair is the same color from top to bottom. The fur on its belly is lighter. These hairs have two colors: the bottom two-thirds are dark brown, like the back fur, and the top third is yellowish. Its fur is thick and feels woolly. However, its face does not have any hair.
Where and How Does It Live?
Diet and Habitat
Scientists have not yet studied what the Antioquian sac-winged bat eats. But other bats in its group are known to be insectivores. This means they are specialized in catching and eating insects while flying.
The only two bats ever found were in humid lowland areas. It is possible that these bats like to live near karst formations. These are areas with special rock formations, often with caves.
Why Is This Bat Important?
Conservation Status
The Antioquian sac-winged bat is very rare. In 2008, a group called the IUCN looked at this species for the first time. They said there was "data deficient" information. This meant they did not have enough facts to know how threatened the bat was.
However, in 2016, the IUCN looked at the bat again. This time, they listed it as an endangered species. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
Threats to Its Survival
The places where this bat lives are not protected. This bat could be in danger because farms are expanding. As more land is used for agriculture, the bat's natural home is destroyed. Scientists have tried to find more of these bats between 2006 and 2016. Sadly, they have not found any. The Antioquian sac-winged bat has not been seen since 1996. This makes it very important to protect its habitat.
See Also
- List of mammals of Colombia
