Thomas's shaggy bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas's shaggy bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Centronycteris
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| Species: |
centralis
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| Thomas's shaggy bat range | |
The Thomas's shaggy bat (Centronycteris centralis) is a small bat that lives in parts of Central America and South America. It's a unique type of bat. For a while, scientists thought it was the same as another "shaggy bat," but in 1998, two scientists named Simmons and Handley showed that it was actually its own special species.
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Discovering the Thomas's Shaggy Bat
Who Discovered This Bat?
This interesting bat was first officially described as a new species in 1912. A British scientist who studied mammals, named Oldfield Thomas, was the one who gave it its name.
Where Was It Found?
The very first example of this bat that scientists studied, called a holotype, was found in Panama in 1898 by H. J. Watson. The bat's scientific name, centralis, comes from a Latin word meaning "in the middle." This might refer to where it lives in Central America.
What Does the Thomas's Shaggy Bat Look Like?
Its Fur and Size
This bat has soft fur that helps it blend in. The fur on its back is gray, while the fur around its eyes and near its tail membrane (called the uropatagium) has a reddish color. Its belly fur is a yellowish shade.
Even though it belongs to a group of bats known as "sac-winged bats," the Thomas's shaggy bat doesn't actually have the special wing sacs that other bats in its family do. It's a very small bat, weighing only about 4 to 6 grams, which is less than a quarter of an ounce! Its forearm, from its elbow to its wrist, is about 45 millimeters (about 1.7 inches) long.
Its Teeth
Like all bats, the Thomas's shaggy bat has teeth to help it eat. It has a total of 32 teeth. This includes 1 tooth on each side of its upper jaw at the front, 1 canine tooth, 2 premolars, and 3 molars. In its lower jaw, it has 3 front teeth on each side, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 3 molars.
Life and Habits of the Thomas's Shaggy Bat
When Does It Hunt?
The Thomas's shaggy bat is a nocturnal animal, which means it is active at night. During the day, it rests and sleeps in safe, hidden spots like inside hollow trees.
What Does It Eat?
When it's time to find food, this bat hunts for insects. It flies in a special way that is "slow and maneuverable," allowing it to catch its prey easily in the air.
Where Does It Live?
This bat usually lives in areas that are not very high above sea level, typically from 0 to 300 meters (0 to about 980 feet). However, it has been seen in higher places, up to 1450 meters (about 4,750 feet) above sea level.
You can find the Thomas's shaggy bat in many countries across Central and South America. These include Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Images for kids
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Thomas's shaggy bat range
