Mexican Long-nosed Bat

(Leptonycteris nivalis)

Date of Listing: Endangered, 1988

© 1990 Photo courtesy J. Scott Altenbach

During the day, Mexican Long-nosed Bats roost in caves in large groups called colonies. Strong fliers that can hover like hummingbirds, these bats come out at night to feed on the nectar and pollen in flowers of desert plants such as agaves. With long noses and tongues, they are well-adapted for nectar-feeding. They also help the agave plants reproduce by spreading pollen. The bats migrate between Big Bend and southern Mexico following the bloom periods of food plants.

Note: Special thanks to the photographers for providing images of Texas endangered and threatened animals. All rights to these images are reserved. Educational use permitted.

These bats are endangered because they are often killed in southern Mexico by people wanting to control Vampire Bats, which sometimes spread disease. Also, agave plants on which the bats depend are being cleared for pasture and harvested to make liquor.

Size:

About 3-4 inches long.

Diet:

Flower nectar and pollen from agave plants.

Habitat (where it lives):

Roosts in caves and finds food in desert scrub vegetation.

Range (where found in Texas):

Trans-Pecos, Texas and Mexico.

Life Span:

At least 10 years.

Reproduction:

Usually one baby born each year.

Population Numbers:

Varied from 0 to 5000 in recent years at Big Bend National Park.