Bats

New bat species discovered in Philippines
Sep 16, 2007

MANILA (AFP) — A new species of flying fox or fruit bat has been discovered on an island south of Manila, it was reported Monday.

The orange-coloured bat with a distinctive white-stripped face was discovered in a protected wildlife area on Mindoro Island, the Philippine Star newspaper said quoting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The discovery was a result of joint research between the University of Kansas' Biodiversity Research Center and a team from the Comparative Biogeography and Conservation of Philippine Vertebrates (CBCPV), the paper said.

Known as the Mindoro Stripe-Faced Fruitbat for its striking facial features the bat was discovered by accident when it was caught in a net set by the researchers.

One of the Filipino researchers, Jake Esselstyn, told the paper that the bat was found during a survey of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians in Sablayan region on the west coast of the island.
From associated press

I am re publishing this because a bat has been named one of the newest species discovered and in the top ten. Which means in all animal. plant, and marine life. It is very significant to find a previously unknown mammal species. For us nature geeks this is HUGE!!!! But I LOVE bats and this is a little triumph for the naturalist and photog exposure for the new Bat on the Block. Let's hope she doesn't get a big head and start carrying on past dawn!!! Especially just to be seen flying out of those low life bat caves and having to fly home in the middle of the AFTERNOON!!!!!!!!! Shame shame! But I guess, when you are young, gorgeous and just recently discovered you go a little wild!

Bublebee bat
Bublebee Bat pups
Albino Microbat
World's largest bat The Golden Crowned Fruit Bat in Malaysia. Avg weight 2-3lbs Wing span 5-6 feet

Being it's Halloween time I thought i'd share this picture of the world's smallest mammal! It just so happens to be a bat which makes it perfect for this time of year!
The bumblebee bat roosts in colonies, but as an individual is solitary.Bumblebee Bats roost in the hot upper chambers of caves in limestone hills, just about as far away from the entrance as possible so that the small colony — up to 15 individuals — can fit without the bats being too close to each other.
This little bat weighs 2grams which is the weight of a dime!
Though close to others in its group, it hangs alone, rather than clustering tightly. Due to its tiny size, it has to keep separation from the rest.
If you really think about it, which I do because I have a way to over active imagination, this poor little thing has to go through pregnancy, labor(upsidedown no less!) breast feeding. She has to eat 3/4 of her weight to feed herself and her "pup"
The nursing cave is safe and warm, comfortable at about 100 degrees because of the decaying feces and dripping ammonia-saturated urine. It lies still, comforted by the steady but raucous melee of clicking sounds vibrating through its nervous system.
Sadly, the bats are small both in size and in number. The species was unknown prior to 1974 and is found only in the Karmhanaburi Province in Western Thailand. Their habitat has been highly affected by deforestation and unsustainable levels of teak logging. In 1982, the Royal Forest Department of the Thailand Government could only found 160 of them living in 3 caves, despite extensive surveys.
Bumblebee bats are are now considered one of the twelve most endangered species on the planet

Meow for now,
Catraven =^..^=

World's smallest mammal is a BAT!!!!!

I thought i'd share this picture of the world's smallest mammal! It just so happens to be a bat which makes it perfect for this time of year!
The bumblebee bat roosts in colonies, but as an individual is solitary.Bumblebee Bats roost in the hot upper chambers of caves in limestone hills, just about as far away from the entrance as possible so that the small colony — up to 15 individuals — can fit without the bats being too close to each other.
This little bat weighs 2grams which is the weight of a dime!
Though close to others in its group, it hangs alone, rather than clustering tightly. Due to its tiny size, it has to keep separation from the rest.
If you really think about it, which I do because I have a way to over active imagination, this poor little thing has to go through pregnancy, labor(upsidedown no less!) breast feeding. She has to eat 3/4 of her weight to feed herself and her "pup"
The nursing cave is safe and warm, comfortable at about 100 degrees because of the decaying feces and dripping ammonia-saturated urine. It lies still, comforted by the steady but raucous melee of clicking sounds vibrating through its nervous system.
Sadly, the bats are small both in size and in number. The species was unknown prior to 1974 and is found only in the Karmhanaburi Province in Western Thailand. Their habitat has been highly affected by deforestation and unsustainable levels of teak logging. In 1982, the Royal Forest Department of the Thailand Government could only found 160 of them living in 3 caves, despite extensive surveys.
Bumblebee bats are are now considered one of the twelve most endangered species on the planet

Meow for now,
Catraven =^..^=