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Short-tailed Leaf Nose Bat

Carollia perspicillata

Range

Central and South America: Southern Mexico to Bolivia, Paraguay, and southeast Brazil: to 2400 meters (7873 feet) in elevation.

Habitat

Moist evergreen and dry deciduous forests, usually below 1000 meters (3281 feet) but up to 1500 meters (4921 feet.)

Distinguishing Characteristics

* Bats are the only mammals that can fly and that have true wings. The wings are modified forelimbs with a flight surface covered with a skin membrane supported by four fingers.
* The most distinguishing characteristic is its leaf shaped nose. This is a spear-shaped protuberance that can range in size from large (as long as its head) to non-existent.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: a variety of fruits and vegetables

Diet in the Wild: 50 different species of fruit and also, pollen and insects

Life Span

Approximately 9 years in the wild and 19 years in captivity

Behavior/Adaptations

* Will enter a state of torpor (lethargy) when food is lacking.
* Will roost in groups of 10 to 100 in caves, hollow trees, tunnels, road culverts, and less commonly, under leaves and in buildings.
* They have two roost types: Harem - consisting of an adult male and many females and; Bachelor - consisting of an adult male with sub-adult males without a harem.

Status

Not threatened. They are common and widespread.

Classification

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Animalia	Chordata	Mammalia	Chiroptera	Phyllostomidae	Carollia	perspicillata