Species · GBIF taxon 2433222
Honduran White Bat
Ectophylla albaAlso known as Caribbean White Tent-making Bat, Honduran White Tent-making Bat
These tiny, cotton-ball-like mammals are famous for their snowy white fur and bright yellow-orange nose leaves and ears. They roost in small, intimate groups of up to fifteen individuals, clinging to the undersides of large Heliconia leaves that they carefully cut and fold into protective, rainproof tents. By day, the filtered green light shining through the leaf reflects off their white coats, making them nearly invisible to predators looking from below.
NocturnalSocialFrugivorous
- diet
- Frugivorous, specializing almost exclusively on Ficus colubrinae figs
- family
- Phyllostomidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and the destruction of understory Heliconia plants
- life Span
- Approximately 10 to 15 years in the wild
NT
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Classified as Near Threatened due to its extreme specialization on specific plants for food and shelter, making it highly vulnerable to habitat disturbance.
Maintain a respectful distance of several meters, speak in whispers, and never disturb the roosting structure.- Look under Heliconia leaves: Search for folded, tent-like leaves hanging about one to two meters off the forest floor.
- Keep your distance: Avoid touching, shaking, or walking directly under the roosting leaf to prevent flushing the colony.
- Minimize light: Use a red light filter or dim flashlight if observing them at dusk to avoid damaging their sensitive eyes.