- Scientific Name
- Mormoops megalophylla
- Family
- Mormoopidae
- Global Conservation Status (IUCN)
- Least Concern
- Region
- North America, Latin America, The Caribbean
- Diet
- Insectivore
Data Sheet
Diet: Ghost-faced Bats feed primarily on moths, capturing them in the air. They are fast flyers, reaching speeds close to 23 miles per hour.
Fun Fact: Fossil remains of Ghost-faced Bats have been recovered from caves throughout Latin America, including in Brazil and Cuba, dating as far back as 20,000 years ago.
Appearance: Ghost-faced Bats are distinctive, with short skulls and flattened faces framed by small, curving ears creating a ‘smashed-in’ appearance. They are usually brown to reddish brown in color.
Habitat: Ghost-faced Bats are found in warm, humid, semi-arid and arid climates, ranging from southern Texas through Central America.
They roost deep in caves or abandoned mines, preferring warm, humid roosts. Colonies can be as large as several thousand individuals. Ghost-faced Bats are also often found roosting with other species in the Mormoopidae family.
Echolocation: Ghost-faced Bats produce short (3-4 milliseconds), high frequency echolocation calls (around 50 kHz).
Conservation Concerns: The primary conservation concerns for Ghost-faced Bats are disturbance from vandalism and unregulated tourism, as well as cave collapse.
Bat Conservation International Projects including the Ghost-faced Bat:
- North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
- Abandoned Mines and Subterranean Habitats
- Conservation of Public Lands
Additional Resources:
Written by Alyson Brokaw
Updated June 2021