Mexican Long-Nosed Bat Name: Mexican Long-Nosed Bat Scientific name: Leptonycteris nivalis Range: Southern Mexico though southern areas of Texas Habitat: A colonial species known to find shelter in caves, mines and even hollow trees Status: Endangered, 1991 Diet in the wild: small berries and fruit; the agave appears to be a preferred staple in the diet Diet in the zoo: Same Location in the zoo: In the Texas Wild Exhibit, near the very end
Physical description: - Length: 70-90 mm long Weight: 18-30 g. Wing finger: 105 mm. long Long protruding tongue used to feed. No visible external tail. The third finger is more than 105 mm long. Snout is elongated and has a prominent nose leaf on the tip. The back is pale brown and gray.
General information: Although many misconceptions still exist regarding bats they are known to fly in large groups. These animals also roost in colonies, usually in caves or other sheltered places, like mine shafts, hollow trees or even the attics of homes. Once attached to the ceiling of a building or even parking garage they expel massive quantities of guano (bat excrement) which piles on the ground below. This cultivates large quantities of bacteria, bugs and maggots. This is dangerous for the bat for if it falls to the ground it is usually eaten alive by maggots or other animals. Furthermore, this buildup of guano is dangerous for humans since it releases ammonia which eats away at human lung lining. They are not aggressive animals that attack humans as many people believe. Mexican long-nosed bats are very useful as pollinators for agave growers and farmers alike. Agave is used for the production of mescal, and agave bootleggers represent a serious threat to the animal. Agriculture has also displaced agave habitat. Commercial agave farmers now leave some unharvested rows of plants for the bats. | |
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