What is the scientific name of the Spectral bat?
Q: What is the scientific name of the Spectral bat?
A: The scientific name of the Spectral bat is Vampyrum spectrum.
Q: What are some alternate names for this species?
A: Some alternate names for this species are 'Linnaeus's False vampire bat' and the 'Spectral Vampire bat'.
Q: Where can these bats be found?
A: These bats can be found in South America, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Q: How large is this species of bat?
A: This species of bat has a wingspan of about 80 cm (almost 3 feet) with body length and weight being 125-35 mm and 145-190 grams respectively. Some animals reach wingspans of over a metre.
Q: What does its fur look like?
A: The fur on the upper parts of the bat is normally brown or rust-orange and quite short. The ears are very long and rounded, while the muzzle is long and narrow, with strong teeth. The Noseleaf is shaped as in the photograph.
Q: What does it hunt?
A: This species hunts many vertebrates such as amphibians, reptiles, small birds, mammals, other bats, insects such as large crickets or cicadas, as well as a small amount of fruit.
Q: How does it hunt?
A: When hunting, this species is extremely stealthy; it will often pounce from a position on an above branch onto its prey or fly like some owls by patrolling back and forth along forest edges before suddenly dropping on something in the grass.
