Observations by trinibats

The Little Big-eared Bat (Micronycteris megalotis) weighs between 4-9 grams. Typical prey items include cockroaches, beetles, grasshoppers, katydids, crickets, and even small lizards. This individual was found roosting inside a hollowed out log in the Bush Bush Sanctuary in southeast Trinidad. (Trinibats)

The Southern Yellow Bat (Lasiurus ega) is uncommon on the island of Trinidad. This elusive foliage-roosting species eats small flying insects. Individuals weigh an average 12 grams or 0.4 ounces. This one was captured in the Nariva Swamp, east Trinidad, where it was processed and released unharmed. (Trinibats)

Averaging 35 grams (1.2 oz), the Black Mastiff Bat (Molossus rufus) is one of those small insect-gobbling bat species we see flying rapidly across the sky at dusk and dawn in Trinidad. Consuming a daily minimum of 25% of its body weight in beetles, moths and rainflies (winged termites and ants), this bat is a natural insect-pest control agent. (Trinibats)

The Orange-throated Bat ((Lampronycteris brachyotis) is uncommon on Trinidad, even in primary and climax forests. It is rare to absent in disturbed habitat. Considered a gleaning insectivore, the species supplements its diet with seasonal fruit. This individual was captured, processed and released in the Bush Bush Sanctuary, southeast, Trinidad, March, 2013. Photo: Jonathan Durward (Trinibats)

The Trinidadian Funnel-eared Bat (Natalus tumidirostris) occurs in both Trinidad and Tobago. Averaging just 4 grams (0.1 oz), this tiny, delicate, and gentle species hunts small flying insects. Trinidadian Funnel-eared Bats roost in deep caves where they hang singly, not in clusters. Widespread wherever limestone caverns exist. Photo: Luke Rostant (Trinibats)

The Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso) is widespread in Trinidad's lowland forests, usually near fresh or brackish water. Named for its tube-like nose, this 3-6 gram bat captures and eats large quantities of mosquitoe-sized flying insects. Photo: Trinibats—Rostant / Narang Team)

The Stripe-headed Round-eared Bat (Tonatia saurophila) is a relatively rare species in Trinidad. This bat hunts insects, arachnids, and lizards by gleaning them from foliage or off the forest floor. (Trinibats)

The Great Striped-faced Bat (Vampyrodes caraccioli) averages 30-47 grams, and provides seed-dispersal services for Balata, Hog Plum, Ficus, and many more important forest trees on the island of Trinidad. Photo: Steve Parker (Trinibats)

The Davy's Naked-backed Bat (Pteronotus davyi). This species eats moths, flies, and other flying insects. It roosts in the darkest and most humid sections of Trinidad's deepest caves. Photo: Dick Wilkins (Trinibats)

The Striped Hairy-nosed Bat (Mimon crenulatum) roosts in hollow tree stumps and rotting logs in the forests of Trinidad. Prey consists primarily of beetles, with some flies, moths, whip scorpions, and small lizards. (Trinibats)

A female Seba's Short-tailed Fruit Bat (Carollia perspicillata) suckling her rather hefty pup. Bats typically give birth to just a single pup per breeding cycle which only occurs once, or at most, twice per year. This disparity in reproductive rates and litter-size can render bats highly vulnerable to population collapse, especially when entire colonies are threatened through habitat loss or the ill-advised destruction of primary roosts. (Trinibats)