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Western mastiff bat

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Western Mastiff Bat
Eumops perotis
Scientific classification
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E. perotis
Binomial name
Eumops perotis

The Western Mastiff Bat, (Eumops perotis) also know as the Western bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, (Molossidae). It is the largest bat native to North America.

Physical description

The Western mastiff bat has a body length of 5 1/2 to 7 1/2" and a wingspan of over 22". It has chocolate brown fur and thirty teeth.[1]

Diet

It feeds on insects, up to 80% of which are moths. It will often drop down and forage on the ground with its tail sticking up.[2]

Habits

The western mastiff bat needs at least 3 meters of open space under its roosting spot for takeoff. It's echolocationary squeaks, which are inaudible to humans in most bats, can be heard from up to 300 meters away. During the day they form colonies of less than 100. Unlike most north american bats, during winter they do not undergo either migration or prolonged hibernation, but are periodically active all winter.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ Burt, William H. and Grossenheider, Richard P.; A field guide to Mammals; Huoghton Mifflin press, 1903: pg 45
  2. ^ enature.com [1]; Accessed 2/28/07
  3. ^ tpwd.state.tx.us [2]; Accessed 2/28/07