| The southern long-nosed bat is associated with arid grassland, scrub land, and tropical dry forest. Its daytime roosts include caves and abandoned mines, where upwards of 10,000 bats sometimes congregate. They are good long-distance fliers: some commute 30 km a night from their roosts to the places where they feed on nectar and pollen. North American populations of this bat migrate each year from the southwestern United States to northern and central Mexico, following the flowering season of nectaring plants such as agaves. The bats also feed on the flowers of silk trees, saguaro, and organ-pipe cactus, and even show up at hummingbird feeders. One individual may visit as many as 100 cacti each night. Southern long-nosed bats are the only pollinators of some plant species.
Also known as:
Sanborn's Long-nosed Bat, Little Long-nosed Bat, Lesser Long-nosed Bat
Sexual Dimorphism:
None
Length:
Average:
81 mm
Range:
75-85 mm
Weight:
Range:
15-25 g
References:
Miller, 1900. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 13:126.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
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