Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata) lives in tropical rainforest across Central and South America. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Greater Sac-winged Bat
- Each day a male greater sac-winged bat gathers drops of urine and glandular secretions and deposits them in the tiny pouches on his wings. This routine creates a scented mixture that remains in the sacs until it is used in social displays. The presence of both urine and glandular fluid gives the mixture a distinctive chemical profile that can be recognised by other bats.
- When a male greater sac-winged bat courts a female, he hovers directly in front of her and rapidly fans his wings. This vigorous fanning spreads the scented mixture from his wing sacs across the female's body, allowing her to detect the chemical signal. The scent exposure is a key part of the male's display, helping to convey his identity and reproductive status. The behaviour links the visual hover with the olfactory cue to complete the courtship ritual.
- If another bat approaches the perimeter of a male's harem, the resident male will shake his wing sacs toward the intruder. The shaking action disperses the scented mixture into the air, creating a chemical barrier that signals the presence of an established territory holder. This deterrent helps the male defend his harem without resorting to physical aggression. The scent-based warning is an effective way to maintain exclusive access to his mates.
- Greater sac-winged bats feed on a variety of flying insects, catching flies, beetles, butterflies and moths while flying through the rainforest. They emit echolocation clicks from the mouth, which allows them to locate prey in the dark. The highly mobile nose and upper lip can shift upward, widening the mouth opening and improving the accuracy of each bite. By hunting in this way they exploit the abundant insect fauna that surrounds the large trees where they roost.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeCentral and South America
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietInsects and fruit
About the Greater Sac-winged Bat
In the twilight skies of the Neotropics, the Greater Sac-winged Bat emerges as a whimsical silhouette, its delicate wings beating in a staccato rhythm as it dances through the forest canopy. With an effortless glide, it navigates the dense undergrowth, its large eyes shining like lanterns in the fading light, as it pursues the nocturnal insects that fuel its nocturnal exploits. As it flits and weaves, the sacs on its wings, filled with a pungent secretion, emit a sweet, musky fragrance, a unique trait that sets this bat apart from its counterparts.
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