Western mastiff bat

Taxobox
name = Western Mastiff Bat


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Eumops perotis"
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
trend = stable
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Chiroptera
familia = Molossidae
genus = "Eumops"
species = "E. perotis"
binomial = "Eumops perotis"
binomial_authority = Schinz, 1821|

The Western Mastiff Bat, ("Eumops perotis") also known as the Western bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, (Molossidae). It is the largest bat native to North America. The subspecies "Eumops perotis californicus" is a species of concern as identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The range of this subspecies is principally southwest desert regions of the United States, along the border with Mexico; however, the range extends as far north on the Pacific coast to Alameda County, California. [Steven Moore, "Endangered Species Survey for Water Treatment Plant Number Two of the Alameda County Water District", Earth Metrics Inc., published by the Alameda County Water District, Report number 10445.003, October, 1990]

Description

The Western mastiff bat has a body length of 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 in and a wingspan of over 22 in. It has chocolate brown fur and thirty teeth. [Burt, William H. and Grossenheider, Richard P.; "A field guide to Mammals"; Huoghton Mifflin press, 1903: pg 45]

Behavior

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, they do not undergo either migration or prolonged hibernation, but are periodically active all winter. [tpwd.state.tx.us [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/westmastiff/] ; Accessed 2/28/07]

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.enature.com [http://www.enature.com/flashcard/show_flash_card.asp?recordNumber=MA0340] ; Accessed 2/28/07]

References