Identifying Features

Peter's ghost-faced bat (Mormoops meglaophylla) is a medium sized bat that is reddish or reddish-brown in color. They probably get their name from their unusual looking face. Their large ears are rounded and join at their for head. This makes their small eyes look like they are actually in their ears. They also have leaf-like skin flaps protruding from their chin.

Migration/Hibernation

Ghost-faced bats live where winters are not very cold. They appear to remain active year-round, neither hibernating nor migrating.

Habitat

Ghost-faced bats are typically found in desert scrub habitat roosting in caves, abandoned mines, tunnels and old buildings.

Range

Their range extends form southern New Mexico, Texas and Arizona, through most of Mexico and extending into Central America.

Wild Status

Currently ghost-faced bats are listed as a species of least concern and receive no special federal status.

Diet

There is not much information about the dietary habits of this bat. They forage on insects while in flight, and generally hunt for insects high above the ground instead of near foliage or water.

Predators

Predators include owls, snakes, and hawks.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in early winter with one pup being born in late May or early June.

Life Span

Their life span is really not know. It is assumed that they live around 20 years in the wild.

Size

Their weight ranges from 0.45-0.70 ounces (12.75-19.8 gm). Their wingspan is 14-15 inches (35.5-38.0 cm).

Extra Fun-facts

• In Mexico, bat feces (guano) is used by local people as fertilizer.
• Colonies of ghost-faced bats in Latin America can reach over 500,00 in number.