Proboscis Bat

About the Proboscis Bat

The proboscis bat (Rhynchonycteris naso) is a species of bat found in South America and Central America. Other common names include long-nosed proboscis bat, sharp-nosed bat, Brazilian long-nosed bat, and river bat. It is the only species in the genus Rhynchonycteris.

This species is in the family Emballonuridae, the sac-winged or sheath-tailed bats. Like most bats, it is nocturnal. It is found from southern Mexico to Belize, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil, as well as in Trinidad.

This is a small bat, with a head-and-body length of 37–43 mm (1.5–1.7 in), a tail length of around 12 mm (0.47 in), and a forearm length of 35–41 mm (1.4–1.6 in). A sample of males and females from Trinidad found weights ranging between 2.1–4.3 g (0.074–0.152 oz). Males in northern South America were found to average 56 millimetres (2.2 in) long, females 59 millimetres (2.3 in). The tail is about 16 millimetres (0.63 in) long. Pregnant females can weigh up to 6 grams (0.21 oz).

This species is found in the lowlands of the northern half of South America, throughout Central America, and into southeastern Mexico. From Ecuador south, it is limited to east of the Andes... Wikipedia →