By Brian Long
Geographic Range
Lonchorhina aurita, also known as Tome's Long Eared Bat, is found from southern Mexico through Central America and into South America, south to Peru and Southern Brazil (Lassieur and Wilson 1989).
Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical 
(native ).
Habitat
Lonchorhina aurita is found primarily in forested habitats, but may also sometimes be found in agricultural areas (Lassieur and Wilson 1989).
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest ; rainforest ; scrub forest .
Physical Description
(0.35 to 0.56 oz; avg. 0.46 oz)
Lonchorhina aurita varies from 53-67mm in length. It has a skull no longer than 22.7mm in length. This bat's pelage is a shade of brown. Its fur covers the dorsal sides of the forearms, and the ears and noseleaf ventrally (Lassieur and Wilson 1989). The dental formula of L. aurita is 2/2 1/1 2/3 3/3 =34 (Lassieur and Wilson 1989).
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Lonchorhina aurita mates either at the end of the rainy season or at the begining of the dry season (Fleming, et al. 1972). They then gestate through part of the dry season, usually through February and March, and give birth at the onset of the rainy season (Lassieur and Wilson 1989).
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
This species lives in large dense groups, which may reach up to 500 individuals. Lonchorhina aurita may roost with other species of bats, but they do not come out into the open until complete darkness even if the other bats leave earlier (Lassieur and Wilson 1989). L. aurita have exceptional perception ability and do not often fly into nets, but instead stop in front of them and may even land on them (Lassieur and Wilson 1989).
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
Lonchorhina aurita is an insectivorous species. In one instance, a member of this species was found with fruit in its digestive system (Fleming, et al 1972). L. aurita has teeth that are chisel shaped which is indicative of an insectivorous diet.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
None known at this time.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
This species is insectivorous and may therefore be beneficial to farmers and other agriculturalists who have insect pest problems.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
(www.cites.org)
For More Information
Find Lonchorhina aurita information at
Contributors
Brian Long (author), University of Michigan.
Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.
