Great false vampire bat, Linnaeus's false vampire bat
The spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum ), also called the great false vampire bat or Linnaeus's false vampire bat, is a large, carnivorous leaf-nosed bat found in Mexico, Central America, and South America.It is the only member of the genus Vampyrum ; its closest living relative is the big-eared woolly bat.It is the largest bat species in the New World, as well as the largest carnivorous bat: its wingspan is 0.7–1.0 m (2.3–3.3 ft).It has a robust skull and teeth, with which it delivers a powerful bite to kill its prey.Birds are frequent prey items, though it may also consume rodents, insects, and other bats.
Unlike the majority of bat species, it is monogamous.Colonies consist of an adult male and female and their offspring.The adult male will bring food back to the roost to provision the adult female and their offspring.Colonies generally roost in tree hollows, though individuals may roost in caves.Due to habitat destruction and its low population density, it is listed as a near-threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
An insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Spectral bat is a large, carnivorous leaf-nosed bat found in the Americas. It is the largest bat species native to the New World and the largest carnivorous bat in the world. It has a robust skull and teeth, with which it delivers a powerful bite to kill its prey. Its wings, though large in an absolute sense, are short relative to its body size. Each of the Spectral bat's thumbs has a large, recurved claw that is grooved, similar to those of cats. Its back fur is reddish-brown, long, and soft, while its belly fur is shorter and paler. The forearm is furred on the half closer to the body but naked on the half closer to the wrist and fingers.
Spectral bats are found in southern Mexico, through Central America, and into South America. They live in tropical rainforests and may occasionally occur in deciduous forests, pastures, and orchards.
Spectral bats are social and roost in colonies of up to 5 individuals; these usually consist of an adult male and female, a nursing pup, and a juvenile male and female. Colonies generally roost in tree hollows, though some individuals may roost in caves. Spectral bats are nocturnal and usually leave their roosts at dusk to forage for prey. They use echolocation to navigate, creating short pulses of ultrasound at relatively low frequencies; their echolocation characteristics are suited for maneuvering around obstacles while flying low to the ground. The foraging style of these bats has been compared to owls; they likely use their agile and maneuverable wings to hover as they pluck prey items off the ground or tree branches. They stalk the prey and then land on it from above, securing the prey by hooking it with their sharp thumb claws. Spectral bats kill their prey by delivering a forceful bite to the skull. Males usually carry prey back to their roosts to feed females and their offspring.
Spectral bats are exclusively carnivorous creatures, consuming birds, rodents, and other species of bat. Additionally, they consume some insects such as beetles.
Spectral bats are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. They are seasonal breeders, with females giving birth at the end of the dry season or the beginning of the rainy season. The litter size is one pup and the mother is reportedly very attentive and gentle with her offspring. The male is often in attendance as well and will frequently sleep with both the female and their young completely wrapped up in his wings.
Spectral bats are threatened by habitat destruction and are locally rare within their range. They may also be intentionally persecuted by humans; in Trinidad, Spectral bats are sometimes thought to be ghosts, and locals will seek out and destroy their roosts.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Spectral bat total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...