Fauna
Mammal

Mexican Long-tongued Bat

Choeronycteris mexicana

Also known as Hog-nosed Bat, Mexican Long-tongued Nectar Bat

Mexican long-tongued bats feature an extraordinarily long muzzle and brush-tipped tongue adapted for sipping nectar from deep night-blooming flowers. They act as essential pollinators for wild agaves and giant desert cacti during their seasonal migrations between Mexico and the American Southwest. Easily startled while roosting in caves or abandoned mines, these bats rely on quiet, undisturbed shelters to rest and raise their young.

PollinatorNocturnalMigratory
Mexican Long-tongued Bat reference1 / 5
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAgave Nectar, Cactus Nectar, Fruit
Predators
  • Owls
  • Snakes
  • Domestic Cats
ThreatsRoost disruption, habitat loss, and harvesting of wild agave
HabitatsDesert scrub, pine-oak woodlands, caves, and abandoned mines
Life span10–12 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPhyllostomidae
  2. SpeciesChoeronycteris mexicana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can carry rabies and bite defensively; do not handle or disturb roosting bats.
Why it is dangerous
Like many bats, they can carry rabies and will bite defensively if grasped or trapped.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by a tiny leaf-like nose projection, deeply elongated snout, and brownish-grey fur.
What to do
Never touch a grounded or roosting bat; contact local wildlife rescuers if an injured bat is found.
What to notice
Identifiable in flight by a prolonged hover over nocturnal blossoms in arid environments.
Support conservation
Avoid entering known maternity roost caves or abandoned mines during the spring and summer breeding season.
Responsible observation
  • Nighttime Viewing: Set up nectar feeders in desert yards to observe them feeding after dusk.
  • Roost Etiquette: Keep a respectful distance from cave entrances and avoid shining bright lights inside.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…