Long-Tongued Nectar Bat

## Description

The long-tongued nectar bat (Macroglossus minimus ), also known as the northern blossom bat, honey nectar bat, least blossom-bat, dagger-toothed long-nosed fruit bat, and lesser long-tongued fruit bat, is a species of megabat. M. minimus is one of the smallest species in the family Pteropodidae, with an average length of 60–85 mm. It has a reddish-brown colouring with relatively long hair compared to the other species. The hair on the abdomen is a lighter colour, and a dark brown stripe runs bilaterally down the top of the head and back.

## Appearance

The Long-tongued nectar bat is a species of megabat. It is one of the smallest species in its family. It has a reddish-brown colouring with relatively long hair compared to the other species. The hair on the abdomen is a lighter colour, and a dark brown stripe runs bilaterally down the top of the head and back.

## Distribution

Long-tongued nectar bats are found in Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, southern Philippines, Java, Borneo, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and northern Australia. In Borneo, they occur in Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok, Sukau, and Tawau in Sabah; Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei; Bario, Niah, and Bako in Sarawak; Gunung Kenepi, Kutai, and Sungai Tengah in Kalimantan. These bats live in the tropical moist forest. They also inhabit mangroves and swamp forest, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.

## Behavior

Long-tongued nectar bats have not been recorded in flocks; it is suggested that they live in small groups or alone. They may roost under roofs, in rolled leaves, in the ground plants or trees, or under tree branches. Long-tongued nectar bats are active both during day or night but prefer to forage at dusk. When foraging, these bats land on or near a flower and with the help of their long tongue extract nectar or pollen from the flower. They don't use echolocation to locate their food. As they have big eyes, they find it visually.

## Diet

Long-tongued nectar bats are frugivores (nectarivores, palynivores). They feed on nectar and pollen, which they can obtain from mangroves and banana flowers. They may also drink the juices of soft fruit.

## Reproduction

Little is known about the mating system in Long-tongued nectar bats. They breed throughout the year and females have a breeding period of 140 to 160 days. They give birth to a single pup two or three times per year. The gestation period lasts around 120 days. The mother nurses her pup for 60-70 days. Females in this species become reproductively mature at around 10 months after birth.

## Population

### Population threats

There are no major threats to Long-tongued nectar bats at present.

### Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Long-tongued nectar bat total population size. This animal is common and widespread throughout its known range. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

### Ecological niche

Long-tongued nectar bats play a major role as pollinators of many local trees and are very important in sustaining their rainforest habitat.

## References

https://animalia.bio/long-tongued-nectar-bat