Kitti's Hog-Nosed Bat

Kitti's Hog-Nosed Bat, otherwise known as the bumblebee bat, is the smallest species of bat and is also one of the smallest mammals in the world. This bat actually weighs, on average, less than 1/4 of an ounce and usually measures in at an inch in length. Appearance wise, it has rather large ears and long wings when compared to the rest of it's body, and does actually have a tail, but its a bit difficult to see since the mammal is so small, so a lot of people don't notice that its there. It is native to Western Thailand, Southeast Burma, and Southern Myanmar in forest areas and in limestone caves along the river.



Most bat species are black, but the bumblebee bat is usually red or gray in coloring, and as the name suggests, its nose is shaped just like a hog's. It gained its nickname as the bumblebee bat as its body dimensions made scientists wonder how it is able to fly, however, it's been decided that the extra webbing between the hind legs allows it to soar through the air and maintain movement control at the same time.

In spite of their diminutive stature, the Hog-nosed bats have incredibly strong legs and claws. Their toes can curl, giving them the ability to grip when roosting. Like any other species of bat, they use echolocation to help them navigate.

These bats feed mostly on insects and spiders, but what's interesting is that they don't stop to eat. Instead, they feed while they move through the air, either holding their prey in their mouth or with their tail until they can stop to feed.

This bat species is currently endangered, as their cave and
forest habitats are being disturbed by tourists and locals. There are about 2,000 left in the world. Some of these unique bats have been placed in Sai Yok National Park in Thailand, offering some protection. A conservation Action Plan was created in 2001, and actions were recommended for the conservation of the species, including providing incentives to locals to maintain their habitats, and identifying, monitoring, and protecting key cave roosts.



I have never been comfortable with bats and I chose this animal because I thought that it would assuage my fears a bit and I was right. After I started reading about the bumblebee bat, I was a lot less afraid and now I actually want to see one just to see how really small they are. I think this would be a great animal for students to learn about because they have so many interesting characteristics that make them completely unique.