Bidentate Yellow-eared Bat

About the Bidentate Yellow-eared Bat

The bidentate yellow-eared bat (Vampyriscus bidens) is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae, native to South America. Formerly classified in the Vampyressa genus, phylogenetic analyses support its inclusion in Vampyriscus.

Small in size, it measures only 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) in head-body length, and weighs approximately 12 g (0.42 oz). Males are larger than females. The fur is pale to dark brown over most of the body, becoming slightly paler on the neck and shoulders, and fading to greyish on the underparts. There are white stripes on each side of the face; a broader one above the eyes, and a narrower, less distinct one, running along the cheek. The borders and tragus of the ears, and also the margins of the nose-leaf, are bright yellow.

The bat has a short, broad, muzzle, with a prominent, spear-like, nose-leaf. The "bidentate" part of the name refers to the fact that there are normally only a single pair of incisors in the lower jaw, whereas all other yellow-eared bats have two pairs. However, this is not true of all individuals, some of which do have two pairs of lower incisors like their relatives.

The bidentate yellow... Wikipedia →