HOG- NOSED BAT

By: RV

Family, Genus, Species?

The only living member of the family, Craseonycteridae

Belongs to the genus, Craseonycteris Part of the species, Thonglongyai

Physiology This bat is approximately 1.1 to 1.3 inches in

length and 2 grams in mass Swollen, pig-like nose Large ears Eyes are mostly covered by brown or gray fur Possibly the smallest mammal in the world

Natural Habitat The hog-nosed bat occupies limestone caverns

along rivers in Thailand and much of its population is protected in the Sai Yok National Park

They are typically solitary creatures that dwell on the ceilings of caves

Group Size Varies from as few as 10 to 500 Most groups have approximately 100 members Due to their small group size, when a group is

attacked it is incredibly difficult for the hog-nosed bat to regroup in order to breed with other bats

Symbiotic Relationships Little is known about the predators of the hog-

nosed bat although some suspect that predators include birds of prey

The hog-nosed bat typically preys upon small insects

Sources of Energy

The hog-nosed bat’s source of energy is primarily small insects which they are able to feed upon while still in flight

Reproduction & Benefits Very little is known about the reproductive habits of

the hog-nosed bat but they are known to produce only one offspring per year

Their slow reproductive rate does not help their declining population and is not a benefit to their species

Common Threats Forest destruction is the main cause of endangerment The annual burning of the forest is most harmful to their

population Since the 1950’s, the forests surrounding the caverns in

which they live have been massively destroyed leaving almost none of their natural habitat

Endangerment Due to the massive loss of wilderness, these bats are

severely endangered and at risk of extinction Such little is known about the hog-nosed bat, that no efforts

are being made to protect their habitats, leaving their numbers to dwindle to extinction

Current populations are expected to range between a weak 2,000 to 4,000 members

This mammal has been listed as one of ten animals for investigation by the “Edge of Existence Programme” in 2007

Why are they important? These animals are (debatably) the smallest

mammal in the world This organism does not have any known service

that other species cannot equally provide

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitti's_hog-nosed_bat

http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/bats/bumblebee_bat.html

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=49