The Mexican Long-tongued Bat (Choeronycteris mexicana) is best known for its long tongue and long slender nose. This bat can have up to a 14-inch wingspan, has small ears, and a long tongue (extending out a third of its body length) used to reach inside cactus and agave blossoms from San Diego to Honduras. Oftentimes, you can see this bat eating from hummingbird feeders in local neighborhoods. It may also eat insects.

The range of the Mexican Long-tongued Bat includes California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Central and South America.

Did you know? The Mexican Long-tongued Bat has been called a “keystone mutualist” because of its role in helping pollinate various plants and cacti within its habitat.

Learn more about the Mexican Long-tongued Bat and other bats at Bat Conservation International.

PHOTO CREDIT: Drew Stokes, SDNHM