Proboscis (Long-nosed) Bat

Description:

Proboscis (Long-nosed) Bats spotted in Damas Island, near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. These small bats are characterized by their long, fleshy, and pointed nose. Its fur is soft and dense and is brownish-grey in colour, with two white stripes down the back. Whether these stripes serve a purpose, such as camouflage or attraction of mates, is unknown. This bat also has grey tufts of fur on the forearms. No matter what time of day these features may make the bat difficult to see. Proboscis bats live in groups. The colonies are usually between five and ten individuals, and very rarely exceed forty. The bats are nocturnal, sleeping during the day in an unusual formation: they line up, one after another as seen in the pictures, on a branch or wooden beam, nose to tail, in a straight row. They are very well camouflaged looking like large thorns on the sides of tree trunks.

Habitat:

Mangrove forest