Nature Field Guide
Proboscis Bat
- Spanish name
- Murciélago narigón
- Scientific name
- Rhynchonycteris naso
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
The proboscis bat is a tiny insect-eating bat with an elongated muzzle.
Species overview
About the Proboscis Bat
The proboscis bat is a tiny insect-eating bat with an elongated muzzle. Its grizzled coat, pale back stripes and little fur tufts along the forearms can help it blend with bark. Colonies may rest in exposed sites near freshwater. At night these bats catch insects in flight, contributing to the busy food web around water. Researchers have studied colonies in Costa Rica. A bat resting on a tree is not an invitation to approach: use binoculars, keep quiet and leave plenty of distance.
Explorer activity: Draw bark patterns and the bat's coat pattern. Explain how a resting animal might blend into its background.
Your discovery notes: Record the date, place and habitat. Add a sketch or a photograph taken from a distance. Write what you observed and one question you would like to investigate. If the species is uncertain, keep that uncertainty in your notes.
Identification
Key Features of the Proboscis Bat
Small grizzled gray-brown bat with a long muzzle.
Two faint pale back stripes.
Pale tufts spaced along the forearms; similar bats require expert comparison.
Habitat & range
Freshwater-associated habitats with suitable exposed roosting surfaces.
Local observations
Recorded in Costa Rica. This is a country-level profile; it does not establish occurrence in every province, town or nature site.
When to observe
Forages mainly at night; roosting bats may be visible by day from a safe distance.
Conservation & care
Observe bats from a distance with an adult or guide. Do not touch, feed or handle any bat, including one found on the ground. Leave roosts undisturbed, avoid direct flash and ask local wildlife professionals for help if an animal appears injured.
Observation activity
Draw bark patterns and the bat's coat pattern. Explain how a resting animal might blend into its background.