Lesser Long-nosed Bat Recovers
A few years ago, we named a Bat of the Day for each day of Bat Week, and this week one Bat of the Day, the lesser long-nosed bat, is bucking the trend of mostly dismal news about bats.
When initially protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1988, the nectar-feeding lesser long-nosed bat was struggling for survival: There were thought to be fewer than 1,000 bats at the 14 known roosts. There are now an estimated 200,000 bats at 75 roosts, and we are proposing to remove the bat from the ESA’s protections.
Why did we love it a few years back?
Known for its ability to hover at flowers (and the occasional hummingbird feeder), lesser long-nosed bats are agile flyers that use their slender, elongated muzzle and long tongue to feed on nectar.
Not only is their tongue as long as their body, about three inches, but the tip is also equipped with brush-like papillae that help lap up nectar of agave and other cactus flowers. If you enjoy agave syrup or tequila, thank a lesser long-nosed bat!
You know Bruce Wayne is celebrating this ESA success story.
