Galapagos Bats

Category: Bats
Family: Vespertilionidae

Endemic Subspecies: Galapagos Red Bat

Two species of bats have been recorded in Galapagos, both indigenous residents. Bats are unmistakable, small, furry, nocturnal, flying mammals. Their wings being formed of a membrane of skin between the elongated digits of their 'hands' and their ankles.

GALAPAGOS RED BAT

Scientific Name: Lasiurus borealis
Family: Vespertilionidae
Size: Small (length of forearm: 40 mm / 1.6 in)

Locally common resident; endemic subspecies brachyotis, which is considered by some authorities to be a full species. Found in both the highlands and lowlands.

Identification: Short, blunt head and ears, no nose-leaf, and thickly-furred tail membrane. Considerably smaller than the Hoary Bat. Tends to fly relatively close to the ground, with rather fast wing beats. Fur bright rusty-orange on lower back; forequarters yellow, frosted with red; underparts yellowish.

Behavior: A tree-roosting bat, usually occurring singly among foliage in sheltered places, especially along forest edges. Occasionally forages around street lights in towns, but it is rarely seen by visitors during a Galapagos cruise.

HOARY BAT

Scientific Name: Lasiurus cinereus
Family: Vespertilionidae
Size: Small (length of forearm: 55 mm / 2.1 in)

Locally common throughout the archipelago.

Identification: Short, blunt head and ears, no nose-leaf, and thickly-furred tail membrane. Considerably larger than the Galapagos Red Bat. A large bat that tends to fly high off the ground, usually above 8 m, with a strong, fast flight and slow wing beats. Fur light brown, with white 'frosting' and a white throat.

Behavior: Like the Galapagos Bat, roosts in trees in sheltered places, especially in mangroves and along forest edges; usually occurring singly. Occasionally forages around street lights in towns.