Greater long-nosed bat
Leptonycteris nivalis
Leptonycteris nivalis is a bat from the family of leaf lobes ( Phyllostomidae ), which is native to Central America.
The genus name is derived from the Greek Leptonycteris " leptos " ( = slim, slender ) and " Nycteris " ( = bat ) from. The species name nivalis is Latin and means " snow white " and probably refers to the silver tips of the fur.
Description
Leptonycteris nivalis is with a forearm length of 56.5 to 59.5 mm and a total length of an average of 83 mm, the largest representative of the genus Leptonycteris. The average weight is 24 g Leptonycteris nivalis has a longer, less reddish fur appearing yerbabuenae as Leptonycteris. The hairs are white at the base, dark brown in the middle and have a silver tip. The tail wing membrane is in contrast to L. yerbabuenae also slightly hairy. Like most representative of the sheet tabs has also Leptonycteris nivalis a clearly visible nose leaf.
Way of life
Leptonycteris nivalis is like most bats nocturnal and is found in arid and semiarid regions. During the day, it depends in large groups in caves, mines, hollow trees and abandoned buildings. The largest ever counted Group consisted of 10,650 animals, hanging close together. The hanging places divides Leptonycteris nivalis sometimes volans with other species such as Plecotus townsendii, Myotis thysandones and Myotis. Leptonycteris nivalis belongs to the migrating bat species. Length walks are on the one hand necessary to search for food, on the other hand, because the type does not hibernate and therefore in the autumn draws from colder to warmer areas. Leptonycteris nivalis mainly feeds on pollen, nectar and fruits of various cacti and agaves. This diet makes it an important seed dispersers and pollinators of many Night Blooming plants. The tongue is optimally adapted to the diet and can be extended to a length of the head. It has a groove on the sides of the head small, hair -like papillae and in the middle. Thanks to the broad wings Leptonycteris nivalis is also a skilled, agile flier that can float before a flower to take the nectar.
Dissemination
Leptonycteris nivalis comes from Texas prior to Mexico. The IUCN estimates Leptonycteris nivalis as endangered ( Vulnerable ), as the population size has decreased in the last 10 years more than 50 %. This is mainly due to habitat destruction ..