Family: Phyllostomidae, New World Fruit Bats view all from this family

Description Reddish brown on back; brownish on belly. Long nose has erect leaf-shaped projection on tip. Large eyes. No visible tail. L 2 3/4-3 1/4" (69-84 mm); HF 1/2- 3/4" (13-17 mm); FA 2-2 1/4" (51-56 mm).

Endangered Status The Lesser Long-nosed Bat, a subspecies of the Southern Long-nosed Bat, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Arizona and New Mexico. Two factors seem to have affected the numbers of these bats. One is disturbance, by humans, of maternity roosts in caves, which may cause the bats to leave the caves. The other is the overharvest of the agave plants these bats feed on for the production of tequila and mescal in Mexico. Ironically, the decline in bats may result in a decline in agave plants, as the bats are major pollinators of certain species, and the plants depend on the bats just as the bats depend on the plants.

Warning Bats are susceptible to rabies, a serious viral disease that results in death if untreated. Rabid bats rarely attack humans or other animals, but bats found lying on the ground may be rabid. Never touch or pick up any bat. Stay away from any animal that seems to be acting strangely and report it to animal-control officers. If you are bitten by a possibly rabid animal, you must immediately consult a doctor for a series of injections; there is no cure once symptoms emerge.

Similar Species Mexican Long-nosed Bat is less reddish, and usually larger, with larger forearm. Mexican Long-tongued Bat has small tail.

Habitat Areas where mountains rise from desert. Roosts in caves and mines.

Range Southern Arizona and extreme sw New Mexico.

Discussion The Southern Long-nosed Bat, formerly known as L. sanborni, emerges late in the evening to feed on flower nectar and pollen, as well as insects and the nectar and fruit of various agaves and cacti. It either alights on vegetation while feeding or hovers somewhat like a hummingbird, inserting its long snout into flowers. Hair-like projections on the long tongue help sweep food into its mouth. During late pregnancy, females congregate in large maternity colonies. In the fall, this bat apparently migrates to Mexico, where it spends the winter.