The largest living mammal on the planet is the blue whale, which is also the largest animal in existence overall. So which is the smallest mammal living on Earth? There are many species competing for this title, but the first place on the podium is bumblebee batIt’s a cute little animal that fits on the tip of a finger, but is still very similar to us in many ways.
An adult bumblebee bat It measures just over 29 millimeters from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail. Its wingspan is 145 millimeters. They are usually weighed between 1.6 and 2 grams, less than a euro cent coin.
These small winged creatures, sometimes mistaken for insects, have grayish-brown fur on their backs and a pale gray abdomen. Its wings are translucent. They have a long snout with whisker-like protrusions that they use echolocation to detect prey.
Like other bats, it has excellent hearing. Their large ears and nostrils help them find flying insects. in the dark. Therefore, the bumblebee bat is insectivorous.
Its feeding area extends up to one kilometer around the cave or cavity in which it lives. Take short flights lasting less than an hour at dusk (dusk and dawn), avoiding central hours of the day.
Where do you live
Bumblebee bats are not found everywhere on the planet. On the contrary, they live in very specific regions, especially in the Middle East. Tropical forests of Thailand and Myanmarin hot, humid natural caves as well as man-made structures such as temples and mines. There they form colonies, usually consisting of hundreds of individuals.
Their small size allows them to form a palm-sized perch. Staying close to each other helps them regulate body temperature and moisture. It also allows attackers to benefit from security in numbers by detecting them earlier. predators.
Only 5,000 copies left
This incredible species is exposed to a variety of threats from humans that could lead to extinction. On the one hand, the caves they live in are often used as tourist attractions or for religious activities where incense is burned, which has a significant impact on these small bats.
Also, in some places, bat manure Limestone rocks in caves or as a source of fertilizer are used directly. These ailments are considered the main. anthropogenic threats for bumblebee bats.
Due to its limited habitat and small population size, the species is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its population is decreasing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that Approximately 5,000 specimens remain in the wild.
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