JAMAICAN FRUIT BAT
Artibeus jamaicensis

Range: Mexico, Panama, northern Argentina, central Brazil, lower Florida keys and the Bahamas.

Habitat: Moist, open areas near forests.

We'll take that to go: Fruit bats eat ripe fruit: figs, mangoes, avocados and bananas. Fruit is plucked and carried to feeding sites.

Big wings: Rubber-like nose leaf. Pointed ears. Fur is short, very soft and velvety in texture. Upperparts are light brown to very dark brown (vary individually); under parts are often grayish and paler than upper parts. Males average three inches in total length and weigh approximately 1.42 ounces; females average 3.25 inches in total length and weigh about 1.52 ounces. Wing span is up to 14 inches.

Holy bat babies! Embryonic diapause — embryo implants in uterus, but remains dormant for up to four weeks. Timing of reproduction is tied to maximum abundance of fruit. Mating system is polygamous. Breeding colonies of up to 25 involve harem defense by males.

Longevity: Up to ten years

Mob behavior: Bats forage for food in small groups. If an individual is attacked by a predator it will emit distress calls that induces ‘mobbing’ behavior by flock members. These bats avoid flying in bright moonlight where they become easy pray for owls. Daytime predators include snakes and the bat falcon. Jamaican fruit bats normally roost in hollow trees, caves and buildings. These bats occasionally construct roosting tents by biting the midribs of large leaves, causing the leaves to curl over.

Status: Common

Australasia | Conservation Corner | Madagascar |
Marco Polo Trail | North America | Plains of Africa | Tropical America