White Bat
Ectophylla alba
Silhouette: Roberto Díaz Sibaja · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderChiroptera (Bats)
- FamilyPhyllostomidae (New World Leaf-nosed Bats)
- GenusEctophylla
- SpeciesEctophylla alba (White Bat)
About the White Bat
The Honduran white bat (Ectophylla alba), also called the Caribbean white tent-making bat, is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomatidae. It is the only member of the genus Ectophylla. The genus and the species were both scientifically described for the first time in 1892. It has distinctive, entirely white fur, which is only found in six of the roughly 1,300 known species of bat. It constructs "tents" out of understory plant leaves by strategically cutting the leaf ribs with its teeth; it roosts in these tents during the day. It is a specialist frugivore, consuming almost exclusively the fruits of one species of fig. Females can likely become pregnant twice per year, giving birth to one offspring at a time.
It is found in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama at elevations from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft). Due to habitat loss, it is evaluated as near-threatened by the IUCN. Its bright yellow ears, nose-leaf, and lips are a result of carotenoid deposition; the mechanism of this deposition is being researched as a way to understand and combat macular degeneration in humans.
The Honduran white bat was described as a new species, Ectophylla... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of White Bat in Tortuguero National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Tortuguero National Park
Vampire Bat
Desmodus rotundus
Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat
Artibeus jamaicensis
Striped Yellow-eared Bat
Vampyriscus nymphaea
Common tent-making Bat
Uroderma bilobatum
Proboscis Bat
Rhynchonycteris naso
Greater Sac-winged Bat
Saccopteryx bilineata
Spix's Disk-winged Bat
Thyroptera tricolor
Lesser Sac-winged Bat
Saccopteryx leptura
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Tortuguero National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 5 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White Bat in Tortuguero National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a White Bat sighting in Tortuguero National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White Bat in Tortuguero National Park?
May has the highest sighting rate for White Bat in Tortuguero National Park in our monthly data.