Southern long-nosed bat

Southern long-nosed bats are of average size for leaf-nosed bats, being intermediate in size between their close relatives, the greater and lesser long-nosed bats. They have short, greyish-brown fur, with a long, narrow snout, relatively short ears, and a small, triangular nose-leaf. The tongue is long and easily extended to lap up nectar, a task made easier by the presence of hook-like papillae on the tip. ==Distribution and habitat==

Southern long-nosed bats are found in northern Colombia and Venezuela, and the neighbouring islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. ==Biology and behaviour==

Southern long-nosed bats spend the day roosting in caves and abandoned mines, often shared with a number of other bat species. They are highly gregarious, with colonies numbering in the thousands of individuals. They are agile fliers, feeding on nectar, pollen, and fruit. For most of the year, around 90% of their diet is derived from various species of cactus, although they also feed on Agave and Ceiba when those plants are in bloom. They have been identified as important pollinators of local cacti. Breeding takes place between November and December, and births in May. The young are born and raised in a limited number of maternity caves, often located on islands. The young are weaned at around two months, and the bats live for up to ten years. ==References==