Fauna
Mammal

Hispaniolan Greater Funnel-eared Bat

Natalus major

Also known as Hispaniolan Funnel-eared Bat, Greater Funnel-eared Bat

Hispaniolan greater funnel-eared bats navigate the subterranean depths of Hispaniola using slow, buoyant flight powered by remarkably broad wings and elongated hind limbs. They rely on high-frequency echolocation calls emitted through specialized funnel-shaped ears to locate soft-bodied insects within cluttered cave chambers and dense forest canopies. Highly sensitive to roost microclimates, colonies congregate in warm, humid recesses that trap metabolic heat to protect vulnerable young.

Cave DwellerEndemicNocturnal
Hispaniolan Greater Funnel-eared Bat reference
Surfer43 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMoths, Flies, Small Beetles
Predators
  • Ashy-faced Owl
  • Hispaniolan Boa
  • Feral Cat
ThreatsCave vandalism, guano harvesting, roost disturbance, and catastrophic hurricanes
HabitatsDeep humid karst caves, sinkholes, and surrounding tropical dry and moist forests
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. FamilyNatalidae
  2. SpeciesNatalus major
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can bite defensively if handled and carry pathogens; observe flight from outside cave entrances.
Why it is dangerous
Like all wild bats, individuals can harbor rabies and other mammalian pathogens that transfer via defensive bites or scratches.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Distinguished by enormous funnel-shaped ears, long spindly legs, pale yellowish-brown fur, and a distinctively delicate build.
What to do
Never touch or retrieve grounded individuals; report sick or injured bats to local wildlife authorities.
What to notice
Recognizable by the delicate facial features, large flaring pinnae, and deep-cave roosting habit exclusive to Hispaniola.
Support conservation
Maintain complete silence near active cave roosts and refrain from using artificial white lights or flash photography.
Responsible observation
  • Roost Etiquette: Never enter warm subterranean roost chambers, as human heat and intrusion can trigger colony desertion.
  • Dusk Emergence: Station yourself near karst cave openings at twilight to observe their fluttery, butterfly-like flight.
Related species
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