Friday, April 21, 2017

Yellow WInged Bat

The Yellow Winged bat spans wing to wing 58 to 80 mm and normally weighs around 28 to 36 grams. Female yellow bats are often slightly larger than males. The male yellow bat has more of a greenish yellow fur on its hind parts. The bats wings are reddish yellow as well as other membranes of the bat near the noseleaf and ears. 

The yellow winged bat has an extensive range throughout the middle of Africa. The yellow  winged bat primarily roosts in small trees such as the acacia and in small thorn bushes near bodies of water. The yellow bat is in the family of false vampire bats. They feed on insects such as termites, scarab, and beetles. The bat is a sit and wait predator as they often perch and listen for prey and if it happens to fly by the bat launches their attack. 


The yellow winged bat is monogamous. Males and females will form pairs in breeding season and establish their own territory. One member of the pare is vigilant during the day and is able to turn head 225 degrees and move its ears. They will forage in the morning and evening. May and early June is the time when most social interaction occurs. During this period of time rain and insects are more numerous and the young hone their hunting skills. Females are pregnant for around 3 months with only one young being born. The first weeks after the young is born the young will hang on to the mother. Soon the young stay at the roost for around a week and develop self sustained flight. The young are weaned when they are around 55 days old. 


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