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

Description Gray or brownish above; paler below. Very long nose and tongue; small noseleaf. Large eyes. Tiny tail extends less than half length of interfemoral membrane. L 2 1/8-3 1/8" (55-78 mm); T 1/4- 3/8" (6-10 mm); HF 3/8 - 1/2" (10-13 mm); FA 1 5/8-1 3/4" (43-44 mm); Wt 3/8 - 5/8 oz (10-20 g).

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 Southern Long-nosed and Mexican Long-nosed bats lack tail.

Breeding Pregnant females separate from males into small groups in early spring, giving birth in June or July.

Habitat Arid scrub, mixed forest, and canyons in mountain ranges rising from desert. By day, usually roosts in caves and mines, sometimes in buildings; tends to hang near entrances.

Range Extreme s California, s Arizona, and extreme sw New Mexico.

Discussion In roosts, these bats do not cluster but remain an inch or two (25-50 mm) apart. Extremely wary and easily disturbed, they are able to hang by one foot in such a way that they can rotate and watch any intruder. The long tongue, tipped by a brush of tiny nipple-like projections, and the lack of lower incisors make it easy for this bat to lap up flower nectar and fruit juices. It also eats insects and pollen, and may pollinate certain plants. Mexican Long-tongued Bats in Arizona probably migrate to Mexico for the winter.