  the genus vampyrum contains only one species, the spectral bat (vampyrum spectrum). some alternate names for this species are the false vampire bat, linnaeus's false vampire bat and the spectral vampire bat. confusingly, they are not related to the old world family of large carnivorous bats to be found in the megadermatidae that are also called false vampires. ==description== this species is the largest bat (chiroptera) native to the new world and the largest carnivorous bat in the world. the wingspan typically ranges from , with the largest specimens attaining just over . the length is  (there is no tail) and body mass is .hamman, david. (2003-05-12) vampyrum spectrum. animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu. retrieved on 2012-12-29. the fur on the upper parts of the bat is normally dark brown, chestnut brown or rust-orange and quite short and fine. the ears are very long and rounded. there is no discernible tail, but the tail membrane is long and broad. the large feet are robust, with long curved claws. the muzzle is long and narrow, and the teeth are strong. the noseleaf, averaging  long, is medium-sized, lance-shaped, horseshoe and spear with continuous rim raised to form a hollow cup around the nostrils. underparts are usually pale, dirty gray-brown to yellow-brown &ndash; the fur is much shorter than on the front. ==range and habitat== the range of the species is southern
Animals_described_in_1758 Bats_of_South_America IUCN_Red_List_near_threatened_species Mammals_of_Brazil Mammals_of_Costa_Rica Mammals_of_Guyana Mammals_of_Mexico Mammals_of_Trinidad_and_Tobago Phyllostomidae