Bat House Forum

[burnthiscity]

I recently spent a few months working on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. I found this little guy in my room one day. I've been trying to identify all the wildlife I saw while there, so I was wondering if anyone could help me out. Thank you!

http://img41.imageshack.us/my.php?image=costarica736.jpg

[Joe Spencer]

With 110 species of bats in Costa Rica it is not easy for someone like me from the states to assist in identification. However, your photo is invaluable and when I first saw it I noticed the large eyes and swine like flat nose (which I can't see too well) which made me immediately consider the common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus). I am not confirming the species. Vampires may enter a dwelling or area to find their meal but when finished will usually exit. The fact that you were able to take this photo during the day (I assume?) is strange or suspect. How long has it been since you took this photo? Remember, only a fraction of all bats are rabid including vampires. Vampire bats occur in greater numbers near cattle and other mammals which are concentrated in large numbers in one area. Did you notice any of the latter close to where you were staying? Vampires have been known to occasionally enter buildings and human dwellings. If we could only see it walk, it would be an easy confirmation. Vampires walk and run on the ground as well. I don't have any more time right now to research more Costa Rican bats but maybe someone else will be able to assist. The link below is not a scare tactic but rather a reasonably informative experience with a Vampire bat in Costa Rica:

http://www.1-costaricalink.com/costa_ri ... eys_47.htm

Vampire from Costa Rica:



Another image of Common Vampire location unknown:



Similar but notice the distinct white markings and other features on this Costa Rican Tent making bat:

[burnthiscity]

Thank you for your reply! I was trying to ID it on my own and I kind of thought it looked like a vampire bat, but I have no idea what I'm really looking at so I wasn't sure.
I took this picture in the morning if I remember correctly, but I think he came through our open window during the night and then got stuck in our room. There is one farm nearby that has 20-30 cattle, and some have a few horses, but I can't really think of any others... Not sure if it matters, but I did live in a very small village set in the jungle; when I say set in the jungle, I mean my immediate backyard is the undisturbed jungle (we actually didn't even have a backyard; it was the jungle ha) Our house was very open as well; the kitchen had a roof and pillars, but no windows or real walls (so that bat wasn't the only interesting thing that flew in!) and our rooms had windows with no glass, just curtains.
Not sure if this helps any, but I have another photo of him/her: we were using a broom, trying to get it to fly out of our room, and we accidentally knocked him out for a few minutes =(
http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... ica737.jpg