Patagonian Bonnetted Bat
The Patagonian Dwarf bonneted bat is aptly named due to its very large fleshy ears that meet in the middle. It is the smallest of the genus Eumops and is in the Molossidae family. It has a long free tail and hairy large feet. Colouring is dark brown with a paler underbody. The weight can be from 13-20 grams.
It is found in South America (Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay), and is a fast flying insectivore with long narrow wings which enable it to fly long distances to hunt.
It is common to find them in houses and other buildings but they also roost in trees. Their echolocation signal is of a low frequency and can be audible to humans, which is unusual.
We have caught this species many times around the reserve whilst mist netting for bats and we often pick up its echolocation frequency on our detectors. It is the most common local bat and roosts in the roof of the research cabin.
