The Phyllostomidae are the most diverse and ecologically varied family of bats (56 genera with 192 known species). They are confined to the New World and range from the southern United States to northern Argentina, and in the Caribbean. Most species inhabit tropical forests, but others occur in savannas, scrub, and deserts. The New World leaf-nosed bats roost in caves, rock crevices, hollow trees, aerial root tangles, and man-made structures; the tent-making bats (Uroderma spp.) make shelters of large leaves. Some species are solitary, but other roost in groups up to over a thousand.

Phyllostomids are usually brown, grey, or black, although one species is white. The majority possesses an elaborate noseleaf, arising from a fleshy plate surrounding the nostrils. The shape and size of the noseleaf and ears varies greatly between species. Likewise, species differ dramatically in size (from 4 to 13.5 cm in head-body length; 2.6 to 11 cm a forearm length), and weight (7 to 200 g). This family has a wide dietary range. While many species are insectivore, others feed on fruits, nectar, pollen, or hunt small vertebrates (frogs, small mammals, including other bats, and birds). The three species of vampire bats feed on blood of mammals and birds. Nectivorous and frugivorous species pollinate and disperse seeds of over 1,000 plant species, including figs, palms, peppers, agaves and cacti.

		Aztec Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus aztecus)
		Great Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus lituratus)
		Dark Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus obscurus)
		Seba's Short-tailed Bat (Carollia perspicillata)
		Pallas's Long-tongued Bat (Glossophaga soricina)
Unauthorized use of our images is NOT permitted.
Hotlinking or "pinning" of our images to websites is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Copyright © Michael Patrikeev - All Rights Reserved