A medium-sized nectar-feeding bat with an extraordinarily long tongue. Critical pollinator of agave, saguaro, and other desert plants.

Native status: Native to southwestern US into Mexico

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 8–11 cm; wingspan 32–36 cm
Weight14–25 g
LifespanWild 8–12 years
OrderChiroptera
FamilyPhyllostomidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Mexican long-tongued bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is the only species within the genus Choeronycteris. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States.

Source: Wikipedia — Mexican long-tongued bat Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium brown bat with elongated muzzle; long tongue; relatively large eyes.

Similar species. Other long-tongued bats.

Voice. Ultrasonic echolocation.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Nectar, pollen, fruits.

Behavior. Nectar-feeding bat that visits agaves, century plants, and tubular flowers.

§ Range

Southwestern US, Mexico

§ Habitat

Desert riparian areas, oak-pine forests

§ Threats

Habitat loss, agave overharvesting for tequila production.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the mexican long-tongued bat is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Buy bat-friendly tequila. Support southwestern desert protection.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Bat Conservation International
  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • IUCN Red List 2018