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Mammals of Zihuatanejo

CLASS MAMMALIA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Mammals (Class Mammalia)

-Therians (Subclass Theria)

-Placental Mammals (Infraclass Placentalia)

-Ungulates, Carnivorans, and Allies (Superorder Laurasiatheria)

-Bats (Order Chiroptera)

-Suborder Yangochiroptera)

-Sheath-tailed and Slit-faced Bats (Superfamily Emballonuroidea)

-Sheath-tailed Bats (Family Emballonuridae)

Typical Sheath-winged Bats (Subfamily Emballonurinae)

-Tribe Diclidurini)

-Genus Saccopteryx

-Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata)


Saccopteryx bilineata is a small insect-eating bat in the family Emballonuridae. It ranges from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern South America, inhabiting lowland forests, forest edges, and even open areas near human settlements. This species is named for the small scent sacs located in pockets on its wings, which are more developed in males. These wing sacs produce aromatic secretions used in courtship and territorial displays. The bat is typically dark brown to grayish-brown with two distinct pale stripes running lengthwise along its back—one of its most recognizable features.

Greater Sac-winged Bat

Saccopteryx bilineata

Diet

  • Insectivorous, feeding primarily on moths, flies, mosquitoes, beetles, termites, ants, caddisflies, and other flying insects.

  • Hunts shortly after sunset by catching insects in flight over forest clearings, rivers, roads, and woodland edges.

  • Uses sophisticated echolocation to detect and pursue prey in open spaces beneath the forest canopy.

Range

  • Found from southern Mexico through Central America and much of northern and central South America, extending south to Brazil and Bolivia.

  • In Mexico, it occurs along both the Pacific and Gulf slopes, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Found from sea level to about 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, semi-deciduous forests, gallery forests, mangroves, and forest edges.

  • Commonly roosts on the exposed trunks of large trees, beneath rock overhangs, in caves, under bridges, and on buildings.

  • Unlike many bats, it often roosts in plain sight on vertical surfaces, where its cryptic coloration helps it blend in with tree bark.

Size

  • Body length: 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in)

  • Wingspan: 30–35 cm (11.8–13.8 in)

  • Weight: 8–12 g

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