Shaggy bat

The spur sheath tail ( Centronycteris maximiliani ) is a tropical bat species from the family of Myotis bats free- tails ( Emballonuridae ). Because of their shaggy hair it is known in English as Shaggy Bat. Together with Centronycteris centralis, which was until 1998 as a subspecies of the spur vaginal tail, it forms the genus Centronycteris. The specific epithet honors Maximilian zu Wied - Neuwied.

Features

The spur vaginal tail resembles a fuzzy ball. The head-body length is 41 to 57 mm, tail length 20 to 32 mm, the Hinterfußlänge 7-9 mm, the forearm length from 41.5 to 49.0 mm, the ear length 17 to 19 mm and weight of 4.5 to 6.0 grams. The top is smoke -brown with a yellowish -orange tint. The fur hairs are very long and woolly. The head is, including the nose and the chin, woolly hairs. The ears have protruding parallel ridges on the inner edge. The long tail comes out to the middle of the tail membrane. The outstretched tail membrane is longer than the legs. It is heavily marked with parallel patch series that are crossed by protruding branched veins. The reddish body hair extends to the base of the tail membrane. The underside is slightly more yellowish than black. The Uropatagyum missing.

Distribution and habitat

The spur vaginal tail inhabits primary and secondary rain forests. The distribution area extends from northeastern Peru to Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, French Guiana and Suriname to the southern Venezuela.

Way of life

The spur vaginal tail feeds on insects, which are captured in flight. In search of food, which was observed in the late afternoon, he makes slow, fluttering wing beats. Its beds are located in tree hollows.

Status

The IUCN lists the spur vaginal cock in the category " not at risk " ( least concern ). A potential threat is, however, from deforestation.