Family: Phyllostomidae, New World Fruit Bats view all from this
family Description Usually gray-brown (sometimes dark brown)
above; paler below. Surface of interfemoral membrane well
furred. No tail. Short, rounded ears; small tragus. Large eyes.
Thickened, M-shaped fold of skin over nostrils. Outside lower
incisor has 7 fan-shaped lobes (unique among bats); cheek teeth
reduced. Dimensions L 2 1/2-3 3/8" (65-87 mm); HF average 5/8"
(18 mm); FA 2-2 1/4" (50-56 mm); Wt 7/8-1 1/2 oz (24-43 g).
Breeding Female bears 1 young, apparently at any time of year.
Habitat Mainly humid forest. Usually roosts in caves, but also
in mines and hollow trees. Range Central Mexico south into South
America. Discussion Discovered in Mexico in the 16th century by
the Spanish conquistadores, who named them after the blood-
sucking creatures of eastern European legend, vampire bats feed
entirely upon blood and occur only in the New World. The
vampires are among the few bats that use their wings for walking
on the ground. Sleeping by d