Natalus

Natalus stramineus

The funnel ears ( Natalidae ) are a living on the American continent bat family. It includes a generic, Natalus, with five species.

Dissemination

Funnel ears are located in central and northern and central South America, their range extends from Mexico to Brazil and also includes the Caribbean islands with. On many of the smaller Antilles islands, they are extinct in the course of human occupation.

Description

With a body length of 35 to 55 millimeters and a weight of four to ten grams funnel ears are rather small bats. Her long, soft fur is yellowish, reddish or brownish, the underside is usually brighter. Your body is built thin, the wings are slender, the legs and tail are relatively long. It took its name from the large, funnel-shaped ears, the lower edge is at the level of the mouth. A short triangular tragus is present. The head is round and the forehead is convex. Males have on the snout a special sense organ, called Natalidenorgan. It may serve to sense perception or the function of a gland, for exact details are not known. The snout is elongated, however, a nose sheet does not exist.

Way of life

Habitat of these bats are primarily forest areas up to an altitude of 2500 meters. As Sleeps serve these animals caves, hollow logs and mines, often they socialize with other bat species. For sleeping they form groups of ten to several hundred copies. At night, they go in search of food. Their flight is fluttering and moth -like. Their diet consists almost entirely of insects.

Reproduction

The female gives birth once a year after a long gestation period ( eight to ten months), a single young is born. In Central America, the birth falls in the dry season. At birth, the females often form nursery roosts, they isolate themselves from the males. Pups are strikingly large, reaching 50 % of the mother's body weight and are also likely to grow relatively quickly. Otherwise, little is known about the reproduction of these animals.

The types

The five types of funnel ears are divided into three subgenera:

• Subgenus Natalus Natalus stramineus is the most widely used Trichterohrart, it comes in front of Mexico to Brazil.
• Natalus tumidirostris is restricted to northern South America ( Colombia and Suriname).

• Natalus tumidifrons is endemic to the Bahamas. Because of their small distribution range, the species is considered endangered.
• Natalus micropus native to Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola.

• Natalus lepidus lives in Cuba and the Bahamas.