Ectophylla alba
white bat

Endemic to the lowlands of Central America, including Eastern Honduras, Northern Nicaragua, Eastern Costa Rica, and Western Panama.

Found mainly in rainforests that have a population of Heliconia plant species.

This is a very small species of bat. The total body length ranges from 37-47mm. They have no external tail. They have a lustrous white coat covering most of their bodies. Sections of this coat are tinged with gray. They also have bright orange/yellow features (ears, face, nose, and sections of their legs and wings) and black wing membranes. The nose of this species is very pronouced and triangular. This is a characteristic of the Phyllostomids which are often referred to as leaf-nosed.

As with most phyllostomids, the litter size is rarely more than one. Reproduction is also timed so the young are not born during the rainy season.

This species of bat belongs to a group of bats classified as "tent making " bats. The bats cut the veins of large plant leaves, usually Heliconia sp., and form them into an upside-down V shape. They then diurnally roost under the leaves. This "tent" is made about 6 feet in the air horizontal to the ground. The bats use many different tents all of which are roughly the same size. Each individual tent houses groups as small as 1-2 or as large as 12. The tent is used to protect the bats from rain, the sun, and predators. The bats are so confident in their concealment within the tent that they will not take flight unless the main stem of the leaf is disturbed.

Ectophylla alba is a frugivorous species.

No documented examples.

No documented examples.

There is currently no special status but the cutting of rainforests could locally effect populations.

This species has a dark pigmented covering on its skull which is assumed to reduce the amount of UV light absorption. Their white fur also appears a greenish color when the sun shines through their "leaf tents". This coloring effectively camouflages the bats when they are in their tents. Due to their small size, harsh habitat, and very effective camouflage this bat species is difficult to study.