Seba's short-tailed bat

Seba's short-tailed bat, scientifically known as Carollia perspicillata, is a captivating and widespread species belonging to the family Phyllostomidae. These bats are typically found across Central America, the northern regions of South America, and the Antilles islands.

Visually, Seba's short-tailed bats are small to medium-sized, characterized by short ears and a distinctive triangular noseleaf. Their fur varies in color, ranging from black and brown to gray. Notably, they exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females can appear different depending on their geographic location.

These bats possess an impressive array of senses. They rely on a keen sense of smell, good eyesight, and echolocation to navigate their surroundings. In terms of diet, they are primarily frugivorous but are not overly selective—they also consume flowers and insects, making them dietary generalists. They typically inhabit both deciduous and evergreen forests near stagnant water bodies, at elevations below 1,000 meters.

In terms of social behavior, Carollia perspicillata roosts in groups ranging from 10 to 100 individuals. They choose locations such as caves, hollow trees, and tunnels for roosting. Males can be quite territorial, engaging in boxing matches to assert dominance. Reproduction involves a harem system, where males attract females with vocalizations and hovering displays. After a gestation period of approximately 120 days, the young are born and grow rapidly, reaching full adult weight within 10-13 weeks.

These bats exhibit a unique flight metabolism that follows a U-shaped pattern, meaning they expend the most energy at both very low and very high airspeeds. Seba's short-tailed bats can live up to ten years, with mortality rates dropping significantly after the first two years. They are relatively easy to breed in captivity and are a common sight in various zoos, including the Central Park Zoo.