Sac-winged bat
Encyclopedia
The 51 species of sac-winged or sheath-tailed bats constitute the family
Emballonuridae, and can be found in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. Emballonurids include some of the smallest of all bats, and range from 3.5 to 10 cm in body length. They are generally brown or grey, although the ghost bat
s (genus Diclidurus) are white.
They have short tails, which project through the tail membrane so that the latter forms a sheath. As their name indicates, most species also possess sac-shaped glands in their wings, which are open to the air and may release pheromone
s to attract mates. Other species have throat glands which produce strong-smelling secretions. They have the dental formula
:
These bats prefer to roost in areas generally lighter than other species of bats. Their dwellings can often be found in hollow trees and entryways to caves or other structures. Some, such as the tomb bat
s live in large roosts, but others are solitary. Species living away from the tropics may become torpid
, or even hibernate
in winter.
The family Emballonuridae feast mainly on insects, and occasionally on fruit. Most of these bats, such as ghost bats, catch their meals while flying; the proboscis bat
, on the other hand, catches its prey above water surfaces.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Emballonuridae, and can be found in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. Emballonurids include some of the smallest of all bats, and range from 3.5 to 10 cm in body length. They are generally brown or grey, although the ghost bat
Diclidurus
Diclidurus is a genus of bats whose common name is the ghost bats. They all inhabit South America and sometimes also Central America....
s (genus Diclidurus) are white.
They have short tails, which project through the tail membrane so that the latter forms a sheath. As their name indicates, most species also possess sac-shaped glands in their wings, which are open to the air and may release pheromone
Pheromone
A pheromone is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting outside the body of the secreting individual to impact the behavior of the receiving individual...
s to attract mates. Other species have throat glands which produce strong-smelling secretions. They have the dental formula
Dentition
Dentition pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age...
:
These bats prefer to roost in areas generally lighter than other species of bats. Their dwellings can often be found in hollow trees and entryways to caves or other structures. Some, such as the tomb bat
Taphozous
Taphozous is a genus of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It contains the following species:* Indonesian Tomb Bat * Coastal Tomb Bat * Sharp-Nosed Tomb Bat...
s live in large roosts, but others are solitary. Species living away from the tropics may become torpid
Torpor
Torpor, sometimes called temporary hibernation is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually characterized by a reduced body temperature and rate of metabolism. Animals that go through torpor include birds and some mammals such as mice and bats...
, or even hibernate
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
in winter.
The family Emballonuridae feast mainly on insects, and occasionally on fruit. Most of these bats, such as ghost bats, catch their meals while flying; the proboscis bat
Proboscis Bat
The proboscis bat, Rhynchonycteris naso, is a bat species from South and Central America. Other common names include sharp-nosed bat, Brazilian long-nosed bat and river bat in English, and murciélago narizón in Spanish. It is monotypic within its genus.This species is in the family Emballonuridae,...
, on the other hand, catches its prey above water surfaces.
List of species
Family Emballonuridae- Genus BalantiopteryxBalantiopteryxBalantiopteryx is a genus of sac-winged bats. It comprises three species:*Balantiopteryx infusca *Balantiopteryx io *Balantiopteryx plicata -External links:*...
- Ecuadorian Sac-Winged BatEcuadorian Sac-Winged BatThe Ecuadorian Sac-winged Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Balantiopteryx infusca - Thomas's Sac-Winged BatThomas's Sac-Winged BatThomas's Sac-winged Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, Balantiopteryx io - Gray Sac-Winged BatGray Sac-Winged BatThe Gray Sac-winged Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae. It is found in Mexico from Baja California Sur and Sonora to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and northern Colombia, at elevations up to 1500 m....
, Balantiopteryx plicata
- Ecuadorian Sac-Winged Bat
- Genus CentronycterisCentronycterisCentronycteris is a genus of sac-winged bats. It contains 2 species:*Thomas's Shaggy Bat *Shaggy Bat ...
- Thomas's Shaggy BatThomas's Shaggy BatThe Thomas's Shaggy Bat, Centronycteris centralis, is a bat species from South America. It was previously included in the Shaggy Bat but Simmons and Handley showed that the species were distinct.-References:...
, Centronycteris centralis - Shaggy BatShaggy BatThe Shaggy Bat, Centronycteris maximiliani, is a bat species from South America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*...
, Centronycteris maximiliani
- Thomas's Shaggy Bat
- Genus ColeuraColeuraColeura is a genus of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It contains the following species:* African Sheath-tailed Bat * Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat...
- African Sheath-Tailed BatAfrican Sheath-Tailed BatThe African Sheath-Tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar,...
, Coleura afra - Seychelles Sheath-tailed BatSeychelles Sheath-tailed BatThe Seychelles sheath-tailed bat is a sac-winged bat. It occurs in the central granitic islands of the Seychelles Islands north of Madagascar...
, Coleura seychellensis
- African Sheath-Tailed Bat
- Genus Cormura
- Chestnut Sac-Winged BatChestnut Sac-Winged BatThe Chestnut Sac-winged Bat or Wagner's Sac-winged Bat is a species of sac-winged bat . It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests...
, Cormura brevirostris
- Chestnut Sac-Winged Bat
- Genus Cyttarops
- Short-eared BatShort-eared BatThe Short-eared Bat, Cyttarops alecto, is a bat species from South and Central America. It is found in Brazil, Costa Rica, Guyana and Nicaragua. It is monotypic within its genus.-References:...
, Cyttarops alecto
- Short-eared Bat
- Genus DiclidurusDiclidurusDiclidurus is a genus of bats whose common name is the ghost bats. They all inhabit South America and sometimes also Central America....
- ghost bats- Northern Ghost BatNorthern Ghost BatThe Northern Ghost Bat or Jumby Bat, Diclidurus albus, is a bat species from South America, Trinidad, and Central America. It is a relatively rare, completely white, insectivorous bat, with an unusual sac at the base of its tail. Specimens have been found infected with rabies in...
, Diclidurus albus - Greater Ghost BatGreater Ghost BatThe Greater Ghost Bat, Diclidurus ingens, is a bat species from South America. It is found in northwestern Brazil, southeastern Colombia, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela....
, Diclidurus ingens - Isabelle's Ghost BatIsabelle's Ghost BatIsabelle's Ghost Bat, Diclidurus isabellus, is a bat species from South America. It is found in northwestern Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela, and possibly Colombia....
, Diclidurus isabellus - Lesser Ghost BatLesser Ghost BatThe Lesser Ghost Bat, Diclidurus scutatus, is a bat species from South America. It is found in northern Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela....
, Diclidurus scutatus
- Northern Ghost Bat
- Genus EmballonuraEmballonuraEmballonura is a genus of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It contains the following species:* Small Asian Sheath-tailed Bat * Peters's Sheath-tailed Bat...
- Small Asian Sheath-Tailed BatSmall Asian Sheath-Tailed BatThe Small Asian Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines....
, Emballonura alecto - Peters's Sheath-Tailed BatPeters's Sheath-Tailed BatPeters's Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found only in Madagascar.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Emballonura atrata - Beccari's Sheath-Tailed BatBeccari's Sheath-Tailed BatBeccari's Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea....
, Emballonura beccarii - Large-Eared Sheath-Tailed BatLarge-Eared Sheath-Tailed BatThe Large-eared Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Emballonura dianae - Greater Sheath-Tailed BatGreater Sheath-Tailed BatThe Greater Sheath-tailed Bat or New Guinea Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in West Papua in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Emballonura furax - Lesser Sheath-Tailed BatLesser Sheath-Tailed BatThe Lesser Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, Emballonura monticola - Raffray's Sheath-Tailed BatRaffray's Sheath-Tailed BatRaffray's Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands....
, Emballonura raffrayana - Pacific Sheath-Tailed BatPacific Sheath-Tailed BatThe Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat or Polynesian Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Micronesia, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu....
, Emballonura semicaudata - Seri's Sheathtail-BatSeri's Sheathtail-BatSeri's Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.Its natural habitat is caves....
, Emballonura serii - Western Sheath-tailed Bat, Emballonura tiavato
- Small Asian Sheath-Tailed Bat
- Genus Mosia
- Dark Sheath-tailed BatDark Sheath-tailed BatThe Dark Sheath-tailed Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae. It is the only species in the genus Mosia.It is found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.-References:...
, Mosia nigrescens
- Dark Sheath-tailed Bat
- Genus PeropteryxPeropteryxPeropteryx is a genus of 5 species of bat in the family Emballonuridae, namely:*Greater Dog-like Bat *White-winged Dog-like Bat *Lesser Dog-like Bat...
- Greater Dog-like BatGreater Dog-like BatThe Greater Dog-like Bat, Peropteryx kappleri, is a bat species from Central America and South America. It is found from southern Mexico through Brazil and Peru.The Greater Dog-like Bat is so named due to its remarkably dog-like characteristics....
, Peropteryx kappleri - White-winged Dog-like BatWhite-winged Dog-like BatThe White-winged Dog-like Bat, Peropteryx leucoptera, is a bat species from South America. It is found in northern Brazil, southeastern Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, eastern Peru, Surinam and Venezuela.-References:*...
, Peropteryx leucoptera - Lesser Doglike BatLesser Doglike BatThe Lesser Dog-like Bat, Peropteryx macrotis, is a bat species from South and Central America.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 26 October 2008.*...
, Peropteryx macrotis - Pale-winged Dog-like Bat, Peropteryx pallidoptera
- Trinidad Dog-like Bat, Peropteryx trinitatis
- Greater Dog-like Bat
- Genus Rhynchonycteris
- Proboscis BatProboscis BatThe proboscis bat, Rhynchonycteris naso, is a bat species from South and Central America. Other common names include sharp-nosed bat, Brazilian long-nosed bat and river bat in English, and murciélago narizón in Spanish. It is monotypic within its genus.This species is in the family Emballonuridae,...
, Rhynchonycteris naso
- Proboscis Bat
- Genus SaccolaimusSaccolaimusSaccolaimus is a genus of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It contains the following species:* Yellow-Bellied Pouched Bat * Troughton's Pouched Bat...
- Yellow-Bellied Pouched BatYellow-bellied Pouched BatThe Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat or Yellow-bellied Pouched Bat, Saccolaimus flaviventris, is a species of sheath-tailed bat in the family Emballonuridae. It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea....
, Saccolaimus flaviventris - Troughton's Pouched BatTroughton's Pouched BatThe Papuan Sheath-tailed Bat or Troughton's Pouched Bat, Saccolaimus mixtus, is a species of sheath-tailed bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Saccolaimus mixtus - Pel's Pouched BatPel's Pouched BatThe Pel's Pouched Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are subtropical...
, Saccolaimus peli - Naked-Rumped Pouched BatNaked-rumped Pouched BatThe Naked-rumped Pouched Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and possibly Myanmar.- Description :S. saccolaimus or T...
, Saccolaimus saccolaimus
- Yellow-Bellied Pouched Bat
- Genus SaccopteryxSaccopteryxSaccopteryx is a genus of sac-winged bats from Central and South America. The species within this genus are:*Antioquian Sac-winged Bat Saccopteryx antioquensis*Greater Sac-winged Bat Saccopteryx bilineata...
- Antioquian Sac-winged BatAntioquian Sac-winged BatThe Antioquian Sac-winged Bat is a species of bat in the family Emballonuridae found in Colombia.-References:...
, Saccopteryx antioquensis - Greater Sac-winged BatGreater Sac-winged BatThe Greater Sac-winged Bat, Saccopteryx bilineata, is a bat of the family Emballonuridae native to Middle and South America.They are the most common bats seen in the rainforest as they often roost on the outside of large trees. They are insectivores and use echolocation calls through the mouth to...
, Saccopteryx bilineata - Frosted Sac-winged BatFrosted Sac-winged BatThe Frosted Sac-winged Bat is a bat species of the family Emballonuridae from South America. It is found in northern Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela and possibly Bolivia.-References:*...
, Saccopteryx canescens - Amazonian Sac-winged BatAmazonian Sac-winged BatThe Amazonian Sac-winged Bat, Saccopteryx gymnura, is a bat species of the family Emballonuridae from South America. It is found in northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and possibly Venezuela.-References:*...
, Saccopteryx gymnura - Lesser Sac-winged BatLesser Sac-winged BatThe Lesser Sac-winged Bat is a bat species of the family Emballonuridae from South and Middle America.-References:*...
, Saccopteryx leptura
- Antioquian Sac-winged Bat
- Genus TaphozousTaphozousTaphozous is a genus of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It contains the following species:* Indonesian Tomb Bat * Coastal Tomb Bat * Sharp-Nosed Tomb Bat...
- Indonesian Tomb BatTaphozous achatesThe Indonesian Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found only in Indonesia....
, Taphozous achates - Coastal Tomb BatCoastal Tomb BatThe Coastal Sheath-tailed Bat or Coastal Tomb Bat, Taphozous australis, is a species of sheath-tailed bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea.-References:...
, Taphozous australis - Sharp-Nosed Tomb Bat, Taphozous georgianus
- Hamilton's Tomb BatHamilton's Tomb BatThe Hamilton's Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Chad, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are dry savanna and moist savanna....
, Taphozous hamiltoni - Hildegarde's Tomb BatHildegarde's Tomb BatHildegarde's Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Kenya and Tanzania.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves....
, Taphozous hildegardeae - Hill's Tomb BatHill's Tomb BatHill's Sheath-tailed Bat or Hill's Tomb Bat, Taphozous hilli, is a species of sheath-tailed bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found only in Australia.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, Taphozous hilli - Arnham Tomb BatArnham Tomb BatThe Arnhem Sheath-tailed Bat, Taphozous kapalgensis, is a species of sheath-tailed bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found only in Australia....
, Taphozous kapalgensis - Long-Winged Tomb BatLong-winged Tomb BatThe Long-winged Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.-References:...
, Taphozous longimanus - Mauritian Tomb BatMauritian Tomb BatThe Mauritian Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae that is found in central and southern Africa and Madagascar. It was discovered in 1818 by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, and is characterized by an all-white ventral surface, grizzled dorsal coloration, and conical...
, Taphozous mauritianus - Black-Bearded Tomb BatBlack-bearded Tomb BatThe Black-bearded Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and possibly the Philippines.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996....
, Taphozous melanopogon - Naked-Rumped Tomb BatNaked-rumped Tomb BatThe Naked-rumped Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, India, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal,...
, Taphozous nudiventris - Egyptian Tomb BatEgyptian Tomb BatThe Egyptian Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia,...
, Taphozous perforatus - Theobald's Tomb BatTheobald's Tomb BatTheobald's Tomb Bat is a species of sac-winged bat in the family Emballonuridae.It is found in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.-References:...
, Taphozous theobaldi - Troughton's Sheath-tailed Bat, Taphozous troughtoni
- Indonesian Tomb Bat