This large, nectar feeding bat is a summer resident of Southern Arizona, south into Mexico and Baja California. It is a resident of desert scrub, feeding on the nectar and pollen of night blooming plants such as the saguaro, organ pipe cactus and agave, as seen here. The lesser long-nosed bat has a specialized, long nose and brush-tipped tongue for obtaining nectar and pollen. This species is one of the pollinators of several desert plants and is also known to use hummingbird feeders. Migration into Arizona begins in mid to late spring and young are born in nursery colonies in May and June. The lesser long-nosed bat is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the list of Threatened Native Wildlife in Arizona. It is threatened by loss of suitable mine and cave roosting habitat an disturbance to maternity roosts. Agave harvests in Mexico for the liquor industry may also be negatively affecting the species as well as reduced populations of desert plants in southeastern Arizona due to development. |
This bat is a leaf-nosed bat with an exceptional long
nose and tongue, a special adaptation for feeding on nectar and pollen
(seen on it's face here) of night blooming desert plants such as
saguaro and agave. This species is one of the pollinators of several
desert plants and is also known to feed from hummingbird feeders. These
bats occur in southeastern Arizona at the northern end of their summer
range which extends south through Mexico and Central America to Honduras.
They roost in small groups in Arizona, usually in the twilight zone in
caves and mines but also in other relatively exposed locations. A single
young is born in June. |
