Critter: Mexican long-tongued bat

Hola! I am a Mexican long-tongued bat, or Choeronycteris mexicana.

Part of my name reveals that I spend time in my homeland of Mexico, but I also live in the southern parts of Arizona, New Mexico, California and even Texas. It is thought that I migrate to where the best flowers are in bloom!

The other part of my name is pretty self-explanatory. Besides that, I am a medium- to large-size bat with brown-gray coloring. My tail is tiny, and I have a spear-shaped flap of skin on my nose.

I eat the nectar and pollen of flowers and the occasional fruit and little insect for protein. My eating habits help pollinate many flowers because the pollen often gets stuck on my face and body.

I roost in the mouths of caves and sometimes in abandoned buildings or mine shafts. I like to stay near the entrance and will often fly out toward the light instead of farther into the dark if I am disturbed.

I like hanging out close to my fellow bats, but don't tend to cluster like other types of bats. I like a good inch or two of personal space while I hang happily from one of my legs.