Yellow-winged bat
A species of Lavia Scientific name : Lavia frons Genus : Lavia
Yellow-winged bat, A species of Lavia
Botanical name: Lavia frons
Genus: Lavia
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Ventus55 , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The yellow-winged bat has a total length of 58–80 mm and a body weight of 28-36 g. Females tend to be slightly larger than males. The wingspan averages 36 cm. This specie's pelage is made of long hairs that are typically pearl grey or slaty gray. Males may have greenish-yellow fur on the hindparts and on the ventral surfaces. As their name suggests, the bat has wings that are reddish-yellow which is also the color of their other membranes as well as their noseleaf and ears. The membranes are largely hairless although there is some fur on the upper arms. The ears are fairly long and have a spiky tragus. They have an elongated noseleaf with a blunt but pointed tip. Although the yellow-winged bat has an advanced interfemoral membrane, they lacks an external tail. The dental formula is 0.2.1.11.2.3.3. Glands exist on the lower back of males and discharge a yellow substance. Females have false nipples near the anus and are used by the young to hold on to.
Size
6 - 8 cm
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Nest Placement
Tree
Feeding Habits
Yellow-winged bat, primarily insectivorous, captures prey in mid-flight using agile aerial maneuvers. Prefers a variety of flying insects, with a notable adaptation for hunting at dusk.
Habitat
Woodland, savannah, acacia trees and thorn bushes near bodies of water, small trees, shrubs, trees cavities, buildings
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Fruit
Behavior
The yellow-winged bat is a monogamous species. Males and females form pairs during the breeding season and establish their own foraging territories. They are no more than 1m apart when roosting together. One member is vigilant during the day, and is able to turn its head 225° and move its ears. Between the foraging periods in the morning and evening, the male visits the peripheral roost, protecting it from potential intruders. In the morning, the pairs interact with each other before splitting up for the day. The male and female meet again at the primary roost tree before evening to interact. The maximum amount of male-female social interaction occurs between May and early June. This is when insects are more numerous and the young are able to hone their hunting skills. The exact time at which the yellow-winged bat gives birth can vary by region; parturition occurs at the close of the dry season in October in Zambia, while at Lake Baringo in Kenya, it occurs the start of the so-called "long rains" in April. Females are pregnant for around 3 months with only one young being born. During the first few weeks, young hang on to their mothers. Soon, the young stay at the roost for around a week and develop self-sustained flight. Young are weaned when they are around 55 days old. Calls produced by this species include search-phase echolocation calls and some social calls that can be heard by humans. Echolocation helps give the bat information on close objects. Social calls are associated with aggression, copulation or mother-offspring interactions.
Photo By Ventus55 , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Bats Family
False vampire bats Genus
Lavia Species
Yellow-winged bat