Rhynchonycteris naso
proboscis bat

Found from southeastern Mexico through Central America to northern half of South America.

These bats live in tropical woodlands that are stable, nonseasonal habitats. Frequently found in forests, pastures and swamps, all near water.

They are 56.5-59.2mm in length, with a forearm length of 35-41mm. These little bats have soft, dense brownish-grey fur with two white stripes on the back and rump. The ventral surface is lighter. The wing is furred dorsally. They have an elongate muzzle, and the calcar is longer than the tibea. A pregnant female was found to weigh 6.0g, almost twice the normal body weight.

There is no breeding season, and stable year round harems are formed. One young is born. Both sexes disperse after weaning at around 2-4 months.

Stable harems are formed of one dominant male, several females and their offspring, and subadults of both sexes. Colonies of up to 45 individuals have been found, and within the colony reproductive and non reproductive females roost separately. Members of this species roost near slow moving water in bark, roots, trees, under bridges, and under curled dried leaves. They exhibit communal grooming.

This bat feeds exclusively on insects. It often hunts over water, beginning its foraging bouts at dusk. Males defend a feeding range with pregnant females on the inside and young males and non pregnant females on the outskirts.

Eat insects that could be pests.

Eat insects that could pollinate crops and gathered foods.

These bats have no frequency modulation in their sonar, only harmonic components. Hawks, falcons, and egrets are predators.