Western mastiff bat


The western mastiff bat, also known as the western bonneted bat, the greater mastiff bat, or the greater bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, Molossidae. It is found in the Western United States, Mexico and South America, and is the largest bat native to North America. The subspecies Eumops perotis californicus is a species of concern as identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The range of this subspecies is principally southwest desert regions of the United States, along the border with Mexico; however, the range extends as far north on the Pacific coast to Alameda County, California.

Description

The western mastiff bat has a body length of and a wingspan of over. It has chocolate brown fur and thirty teeth. The body mass of this species can range from.

Behavior

The western mastiff bat needs at least of open space under its roosting spot for takeoff. Its echolocationary squeaks can be heard from up to away. This is unusual as most bat species produce calls in a kHz range far above that of which is audible to humans.
During the day they form colonies of less than 100. Unlike most North American bats, they do not undergo either migration or prolonged hibernation, but are periodically active all winter.

Diet

It feeds on insects, up to 80% of which are moths.