Vampyrum spectrum
spectral bat

Vampyrum spectrum lives primarily in northern South America and Central America. Their range extends from central Brazil and Peru to southern Mexico. They are also found on Trinidad in the Antilles. (Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999; Vehrencamp, Stiles, and Bradbury, 1977)

They roost in dense, lowland forest below 1,650 m elevation, usually near a river or stream. They are also found in other moist, evergreen forest, yards, secondary growth woodlands, forest edges, and swampy areas. They have been observed roosting in human structures and hollow trees. (Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999; Vehrencamp, Stiles, and Bradbury, 1977)

Vampyrum spectrum is the largest bat species in the New World. Adults weigh between 145 and 190 g, and have a wingspan of 762-914 mm (some exceed 1 m). Head and body length is 125 to 135 mm, there is no tail. The ears are rounded and large, extending to the nose when laid forward, they measure 39 to 42 mm in length. The noseleaf is also large, 17 mm in length on average. The majority of the body is reddish brown, with a slightly paler underside. The fur is short and and fine. This large bat species is distinguished from other large phyllostomids by their generally larger size, lack of a tail, and by the presence of 4 upper and lower incisors as compared to 4 above and 2 below in the similar species Chrotopterus auritus and Phyllostomus hastatus. The dental formula is 2/2, 1/1, 2/3, 3/3 = 34. (Greenhall, 1968; Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999; Vehrencamp, Stiles, and Bradbury, 1977)

In captivity, V. spectrum can live for up to 5.5 years. Their longevity in the wild is unknown. (Greenhall, 1968; Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999)

Vampyrum spectrum emerges from roosts at dusk to forage for prey. These bats form nesting groups of up to five individuals in hollow trees, often near a stream or river (though this is based on limited data). The group consists of a breeding pair and two or three of their non-breeding offspring. One adult, usually the female, always stays in the nest with the young. Both parents bring food back to the roost, presumably to share with their young or mates. One radio-tagged male foraged over an area of 3.2 hectares for 1 to 4.5 hours at a time. Their flight has been characterized as slow, maneuverable, and generally close to the ground. Their wing morphology allows them to fly in cluttered spaces and lift off while carrying large prey items. (Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999; Vehrencamp, Stiles, and Bradbury, 1977)

These bats presumably communicate among themselves using the modes of communication widely used in mammals: chemical, auditory, visual, and tactile modes, though this has not been carefully studied in these animals. Males enclose females and their young in their wings while roosting. (Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999)

These bats use echolocation to help them navigate during flight and prey location. They have been observed using vision to locate prey, which they then capture with a stealthy approach. It has been suggested that they use their sense of smell to locate roosting birds and other prey at night. (Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999)

The diet of V. spectrum includes a number of avian, bat, and rodent species. Preferred birds are usually gregarious, or have a very strong odor, and typically roost on branches as opposed to cavities. Prey is apparently located by scent more than by sight or echolocation, and following location it is carefully stalked before a strike is made. These bats begin feeding around dusk, and may have several feeding periods throughout the night. Adults typically feed solitarily, while their mate stays in the nest with the young. Remains of 84 birds of 18 species were found in a single V. spectrum roost. (Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999; Vehrencamp, Stiles, and Bradbury, 1977)

These bats were previously thought to feed on blood, hence their common name, "False Vampire". It is thought that they may also eat fruit but a mated pair kept in captivity for 5 years refused any fruit offered to them. (Greenhall, 1968; Navarro and Wilson, 1982; Nowak, 1999)

Predation on V. spectrum has not been described, although it is likely that young in roosts can be taken by large, arboreal snakes and other arboreal predators, such as coatis and cat species. They may also be taken by large birds of prey, such as owls and eagles, while in flight.

Vampyrum spectrum are large, predatory bats which impact their prey communities, especially rodents, birds, and other bats.

There are no known adverse affects of V. spectrum on humans.

The economic importance of V. spectrum to humans is not known.

Vampyrum spectrum has been designated as 'Lower risk / near threatened' by the IUCN. (IUCN Redlist, 1996)