With all the rain in the evenings, there was no chance to catch some bats. Until one fine evening the skies cleared and we set out to see what bats might be flying around. It was, for the FCRE, a quiet night, with only four species found among the 17 bats caught. In the past, for comparison, I have had 14 bats in one net at the same time of five different species, which is crazy busy fun (but maybe somewhat too busy to be fun).
The most common bat for the evening, was Seba's short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata.) There were also a couple Chestnut short-tailed bats (Carollia castanea) which I did not photograph. These bats eat fruit, and show it with that big, broad nose and big eyes (you have to see and smell ripe fruit). However, they will also eat insects and pollen, so like many such bats, they are a bit more omnivorous and less easily classified as to what they eat than a cookie-cutter "fruit bats."
The most common bat for the evening, was Seba's short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata.) There were also a couple Chestnut short-tailed bats (Carollia castanea) which I did not photograph. These bats eat fruit, and show it with that big, broad nose and big eyes (you have to see and smell ripe fruit). However, they will also eat insects and pollen, so like many such bats, they are a bit more omnivorous and less easily classified as to what they eat than a cookie-cutter "fruit bats."
Seba's short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata) from near the Duck Pond.
When not dealing with the Carollia masses, I found a few of the small Thomas's Fruit-eating bats (Artibeus watsoni) had arrived. These bats look quite different, but have a fairly similar feeding arrangement. Another difference is that Carollia like a good cave, tree hollow, or similar while A. watsoni prefers to roost under foliage.
Thomas's Fruit-eating bat (Artibeus watsoni) up close and in profile.
Next up is Pallas's long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina), It is a nectar bat, so somewhat like a hummingbird. It can hover in flight and use its long tongue to lap up nectar from deep inside flowers. But it is also to some extent a generalist, as it will eat fruit and insects.
Pallas's long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina).
And I while did find these bats the next morning, I am including the photo here as relevant...
Two Pygmy fruit-eating bats (Artibeus phaeotis) in a leaf tent of their own making.
A few more pics for funlllll.
This stick insect would not stop walking, even with just five legs, but has an interesting back pattern so may be able to get it to species at some point.
The gliding tree frog (Agalychnis spurrelli) in an interesting position. We can only assume he is praying for rain...
I've got information on these caterpillars somewhere and will give an ID once I have it.
And for a big finish...
The flag-footed bug... Anisocelis flavalineata
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