page_title: Proboscis bat
section_title: Characteristics
hierarchical_section_title: Proboscis bat / Characteristics
caption_attribution_description: English: Rhynchonycteris naso
context_page_description: The proboscis bat is a bat species from South and Central America. Other common names include Long-nosed proboscis bat, sharp-nosed bat, Brazilian long-nosed bat and river bat in English, and murciélago narizón in Spanish. It is monotypic within its genus.
  This species is in the family Emballonuridae, the sac-winged or sheath-tailed bats. Like most bats, it is nocturnal. It is found from southern Mexico to Belize, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, as well as in Trinidad.
context_section_description: This is a small bat, around 6 centimetres (2.4 inches) long and 4 grams (0.14 ounces) in weight. Males in northern South America were found to average 56.48 millimeters long, females 59.18.  The tail is about 1.6 centimeters long. Pregnant females can weigh up to 6 grams. The species is characterized by its long, fleshy, and pointed nose. Its fur is soft and dense and is brownish-grey in color, with two white stripes down the back. Whether these stripes serve a purpose, such as camouflage or attraction of mates, is unknown. This bat also has gray tufts of fur on the forearms. No matter what time of day these features may make the bat difficult to see.
caption: Close-up of a proboscis bat
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