Macrotus

Macrotus californicus

The Big-eared bats ( Macrotus ) are a bat genus of the subfamily of the lance noses ( Phyllostominae ). The genus is divided into two types.

Description

The fur of the Big-eared bats is gray brown on the top, the underside is lighter. Characteristic in physique are the short, broad wings and long tail, its tip protrudes from the Uropatagium ( the wing membrane between the legs). The eponymous large ears have grown together at the top and provided with transverse grooves, the nose leaf is erect and resembles an arrowhead. Big-eared bats reach a body length of 50 to 70 millimeters, the tail is 35 to 41 millimeters long, and the weight of the animals is 12 to 20 grams.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Big-eared bats are among the most popular representatives of the north Journal noses. Its distribution area covers the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas. As habitat they prefer mainly dry areas, come to the West Indies but also in rainforests before.

Like most bats, these animals are nocturnal. During the day they sleep in groups, often of several hundred animals in caves, mines or buildings to go out at night in search of food can. Their diet consists primarily of insects, in addition they also take cactus fruits to him.

Mating takes place in autumn, the growth of the embryo happens but delayed, so most pups are born from May to July. Most comes a single young is born, which is weaned after about a month. The life expectancy can be around ten years.

The types

• Macrotus waterhousii lives in Mexico, the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola ), the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.
• Macrotus californicus is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The IUCN lists the species as endangered.