Sonoran Desert
- The most interesting region in the world -
Description of Species:
Lesser Long Nosed bats are small yellow-brown or gray bats. They are usually only 3 inches long and weigh about 0.4-0.7 ounces. Their wingspan is around 14 inches long. The Lesser Long Nosed bat’s tongue is about the same length as its body. This long tongue, along with the bat’s slender face, allows it to get nectar out of cactus flowers easily. The Lesser Long Nosed bat’s lifespan is usually around 20 years.
Behavior:
The Lesser Long Nosed Bat is a nocturnal animal. They spend their days roosting in caves or mines. These bats live in very large colonies ranging from 10,000-100,000 members, which helps them trap heat inside their caves. The Lesser Long Nosed Bat does not engage in many social interactions. Its most frequent social behavior is nosing other bats. The Lesser Long Nosed Bat migrates between central Mexico and northern Mexico/southern Arizona. They arrive in Arizona in April and return to central Mexico by September. The bats also travel significant distances to feed every night, often traveling up to 30 km from their roost site. Lesser Long Nosed Bats can fly up to 14 mph.
Long Nosed Bat
Reproduction:
Very little is known about the mating system for the Lesser Long Nosed Bats. While the females are pregnant, males and females live in separate colonies. Maternity colonies range in size from hundreds of pregnant females to tens of thousands. Each female has only one pup. The time of the pup’s birth depends on the region. Pregnant females arrive at maternity roosts in Arizona in early April and give birth in May. In Southern Mexico the bats give birth in December or January and in Baja California the bats give birth in March. Each female cares for her single pup. The young bats begin to fly after approximately 4 weeks.
Habitat Needs:
Lesser Long Nosed Bats live in desert scrub habitats and semi-desert grassland and oak woodlands. Their habitat must include caves and/or mines for roosting sites. The Lesser Long Nosed Bat also requires a habitat with cacti, especially saguaros and agave.
Trophic Level:
The Lesser Long Nosed Bat is a primary consumer. Its diet consists entirely of fruit and nectar from night blooming cacti such as the saguaro, organ pipe, and many species of agave. The Lesser Long Nosed Bat is eaten by animals such as owls, snakes, and bobcats.
Human activity:
As of 1998, the Lesser Long Nosed Bat has been listed as an endangered species. The bat is very threatened by habitat loss and disturbance of maternity roosts. Any development that destroys the bats foraging areas or becomes a barrier between their roosts and foraging areas is detrimental to their survival. The growth of the tequila industry has affected the bat’s access to agave, one of their major food sources.
