Texas - Mexican Long-Nosed Bat - Leptonycteris Nivalis

	Mexican Long-Nosed Bat - Leptonycteris Nivalis
STATUS: Endangered without critical habitat. DESCRIPTION: Differs from most other U.S. bats in having an elongated muzzle with a small nose leaf at the tip. Total head and body length from 2 3/4 to 3 3/4 inches. Weight is 1/2 to 1 ounce, tongue measures up to 3 inches, tail is very small. Usually yellowish-brown or grayish above, and cinnamon brown below. Distinguished from the Lesser long-nosed bat by the longer, finer hair extending above and beyond the tail membrane, and its slightly larger size. HABITAT: In northern parts of its range, found in high, desert scrub vegetation dotted with century plants (Agave sp.), mesquite, creosotebush, and cacti. Also documented from arroyo-mesquite acacia, lechuguilla-creosotebush-cactus, deciduous woodland, pinyon-juniper-oak woodland, and cypress-pine-oak associations. Day roosts seem to be limited to the entrances (twilight zone) of caves and mine tunnels. DISTRIBUTION: Present: Only from Big Bend National Park (Brewster County, Texas) in U.S., southward through Mexico to Cuidad Vieja, Guatemala. Historic: New MExico and Texas (Brewster and Presidio counties), Mexico, and Central America. THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Roosting site disturbance, loss of food sources (mainly Agave plants) from exploitation by humans, and direct killing by humans. OTHER INFORMATION: Recovery plan is being prepared. The species is migratory and is found in the United States from mid-June to early-August. Has mutualistic relationship with Agave plants (plant's pollen and nectar provide food for bat; bat cross-pollinates the plant). May travel 30 to 40 miles per night searching food. Plays a major role in the cave ecosystem, providing the basis for a complex web of micro- and macro-organisms. The estimated population of this colonial, cave-dwelling species has declined in the U.S. from 10,650 in 1967 to 1,000 in 1983. REFERENCES: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Mexican Long-Nosed Bat - Leptonycteris Nivalis

STATUS: Endangered without critical habitat.

DESCRIPTION: Differs from most other U.S. bats in having an elongated muzzle with a small nose leaf at the tip. Total head and body length from 2 3/4 to 3 3/4 inches. Weight is 1/2 to 1 ounce, tongue measures up to 3 inches, tail is very small. Usually yellowish-brown or grayish above, and cinnamon brown below. Distinguished from the Lesser long-nosed bat by the longer, finer hair extending above and beyond the tail membrane, and its slightly larger size.

HABITAT: In northern parts of its range, found in high, desert scrub vegetation dotted with century plants (Agave sp.), mesquite, creosotebush, and cacti. Also documented from arroyo-mesquite acacia, lechuguilla-creosotebush-cactus, deciduous woodland, pinyon-juniper-oak woodland, and cypress-pine-oak associations. Day roosts seem to be limited to the entrances (twilight zone) of caves and mine tunnels.

DISTRIBUTION:

Present: Only from Big Bend National Park (Brewster County, Texas) in U.S., southward through Mexico to Cuidad Vieja, Guatemala.
Historic: New MExico and Texas (Brewster and Presidio counties), Mexico, and Central America.

THREATS AND/OR REASONS FOR DECLINE: Roosting site disturbance, loss of food sources (mainly Agave plants) from exploitation by humans, and direct killing by humans.

OTHER INFORMATION: Recovery plan is being prepared. The species is migratory and is found in the United States from mid-June to early-August. Has mutualistic relationship with Agave plants (plant's pollen and nectar provide food for bat; bat cross-pollinates the plant). May travel 30 to 40 miles per night searching food. Plays a major role in the cave ecosystem, providing the basis for a complex web of micro- and macro-organisms. The estimated population of this colonial, cave-dwelling species has declined in the U.S. from 10,650 in 1967 to 1,000 in 1983.

REFERENCES:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August 1992. Threatened and Endangered Species of Texas. Endangered Species Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico