Pale Spear-Nosed Bats In The Mango Tree
by Al Bourassa
Title
Pale Spear-Nosed Bats In The Mango Tree
Artist
Al Bourassa
Medium
Photograph - Photographic Artworks
Description
I first saw a specimen of these while on a jungle trip in Ecuador. To have them in our own backyard is a godsend to mitigate the mosquito population.
Per Wikipedia: Phyllostomus discolor verrucosus is found in Mexico, Central America, and Colombia and Ecuador west of the Andes.
Pale spear-nosed bats are relatively robust for bats. Adults range from 8 to 11 centimetres (3.1 to 4.3 in) in total length, with an average wingspan of 42 centimetres (17 in). Males are significantly larger than females, weighing an average of 45 grams (1.6 oz), compared with 40 grams (1.4 oz). The fur is variable in colour, and may range from a pale yellowish brown to a much darker, almost blackish shade, over most of the body. The chest and belly are much paler, varying from near white to frosted grey.
The wings are large, with rounded tips, and have an average aspect ratio of 7.13 and a wing loading of 13.6 pascals (0.00197 psi). The uropatagium is large, extending to the ankles, and is about three times the length of the tail, the tip of which projects from the upper surface of the membrane. The face is broad, with a short snout and rounded cranium, which encloses a large brain with well-developed cerebral hemispheres. The nose-leaf is well developed, with a long and broad spear-like projection from the upper surface, while the ears are also broad, and long enough to reach the tip of the snout when projected forward. Males have a large, glandular sac in the throat region, which is almost entirely absent in females.
Pale spear-nosed bats are nocturnal, spending the day roosting in hollow trees or the mouths of caves. They live in colonies of up to 400 individuals. Within each colony, individual bats cluster together in smaller groups, which are either all-male, or consist of a single breeding male and up to 15 females. The composition of these harems varies, with females moving between different groups in response to the displays of males. Resident females within a harem frequently groom one another, but are aggressive towards outsiders.
They are omnivorous, with a substantial portion of their diet consisting of nectar, pollen, and flowers. While visiting flowers, they have been reported to be important pollinators, especially of soari trees. Although most reports agree that they feed primarily on nectar and other plant material, in some parts of their range, insects may be a more significant food source. In some cases, they may feed on nectar during the dry season, and switch to insects, such as beetles, bugs, flies, and moths, during the wet season.
While foraging, pale spear-nosed bats often travel in groups of up to 12 individuals, flying in single file and taking it in turns to visit flowers. To obtain nectar, they constantly flying back and forth until they have drained the flower, landing only very briefly before taking off again.
One remarkable feature of this bat is that it seems to be able to judge the shape of objects from reflected echoes in a manner that is independent of object size. Pale spear-nosed bats show an unusually complex vocal repertoire, with up to 20 different calls, similar to that of many non-human primates. In addition to vocal communication, males also scent-mark their roosting sites using their throat glands, and both sexes are able to recognise specific males by their scent alone.
Full article "HERE":https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_spear-nosed_bat
This digitally altered artwork is derived from a photograph taken Sept 7/20 in Andalucia, Valle de Cauca, Colombia, South America nestled in the Andes Mountains.
Final processing done with Smart Photo Editor and Photoshop.
NOTE that the Fine Art America watermark will NOT appear on any purchased product.
BETTER, AND MORE, PRODUCT VIEWS at al-bourassa.pixels.com
© All work is copyright protected and may not be used in any way without purchase.
I do hope you enjoy my work.
Comments are graciously accepted.
Favoring is greatly appreciated.
Purchases are fantastic!
You may see more artwork for sale at http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or saccc05.tripod.com
Uploaded
November 21st, 2021
Statistics
Viewed 218 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/24/2024 at 1:06 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet