River BatRhynchonycteris naso Size: body=4 cm; weight=5 g Description: Tiny; fur grizzled greyish, with two inconspicuous, wavy whitish stripes down back, and distinctive tufts of pale fur along forearm; nose long, projects beyond lower jaw. Activity: Nocturnal (crepuscular), aerial. Becomes active earlier than most bats and can sometimes be seen foraging for insects in the dimming light of late afternoon or early morning. Habits: This well camouflaged bat roosts in small groups lined up close together on the underside of logs or tree trunks leaning over the water. It usually flutters away like a swift butterfly when approached too closely.Habitat: Forest edge, along rivers and lagoons. They can be easily seen by traveling down-river in boat or canoe, wherein groups occur every kilometre or so. Status: Often common. Distribution in Iwokrama

Greater White-lined Sac-winged BatSaccopteryx bilineata Size: body=5 cm; weight=7 g Description: Medium-sized blackish bat with two wavy white lines on the back. Wing sacs, prominent in males, in front of forearms near elbow. Activity: Nocturnal. Begins to fly at dusk. Habits: Forages near the roost at dusk then further away as the evening progresses. Roosts together in groups of up to 50 in tree hollows or cavities of large buttress trees. Several harems of one male defending up to 9 females can be found roosting together. Habitat: Primary and secondary lowland rainforest. Status: Common. The bat most likely to be encountered when walking trails and searching for roosts. Distribution in Iwokrama

Chestnut Sac-winged BatCormura brevirostris Size: body=5 cm; weight=9 g Description: Medium-sized chestnut brown with glandular sacs extending to the edge of wing in front of elbows. Wing membrane attaches near base of toe. Activity: Nocturnal. Begins to forage in the early evening. Habits: Feeds on small insects. Roosts in large rotting logs and in tree hollows in small groups. Roosting individuals may stack up on top of each other. Habitat: Lowland rainforest. Open spaces near the edge of forest or over water. Often seen fluttering over the road through Iwokrama Forest. Status: Locally common. In Iwokrama this is the most commonly encountered bat roosting in large fallen logs. Distribution in Iwokrama

Northern Ghost BatDiclidurus albus Size: body=7.5 cm; weight=20 g Description: Large, white bat with translucent pinkish wings. Glandular sac near tip of tail in centre of large tail membrane. This is the largest of four species of ghost bats in Iwokrama. Activity: Nocturnal. Habits: Flies high in open areas over rivers, foraging for moths and other insects. Roosts in small groups (up to 4) under palm fronds. Habitat: Forested areas usually over open bodies of water, but also found in towns and clearings. Status: Rare. Distribution in Iwokrama

Greater Moustached BatPteronotus parnellii Size: body=6.5 cm; weight=20 g Description: Medium-sized with short brown fur. Stiff hairs projecting from above the mouth. Leaflike plate of skin protruding from lower lip. Activity: Nocturnal. Most active in the early evening. Habits: A fast flying aerial insectivore. Usually found within closed forest hunting for beetles and other insects. In other Neotropical countries roosts by the thousands in caves. Caves and rock formations are not prevalent in Guyana but this species is still found in high densities in many areas. It is presumed that there are plenty of suitable tree hollows or alternative roost sites to support these high populations. Often seen flying along trails. Habitat: Mature and secondary forest, savannah. Status: Common. Distribution in Iwokrama

Fishing BatNoctilio leporinus Size: body=9 cm; weight=65 g Description: Large bat; fur short, bright rust-orange with pale stripe along back. Enormous hindfeet with large sharp claws. Upper lip is split and droops down forming cheek pouches. Strong, musty odour. Activity: Nocturnal. Habits: Forages over water for small fish using echolocation to detect fish breaking the water surface. Gaffs fish with clawed hindfeet and then stuffs into cheek pouches. Roosts in tree hollows usually in large groups. During long foraging bouts, may rest in a temporary night roost and feed on its catch. Habitat: Wet lowland and coastal areas including rainforest and swamps. Usually hunts over medium and large rivers. Status: Often common. Distribution in Iwokrama

Frog-eating BatTrachops cirrhosus Size: body=8 cm; weight=30 g Description: Large grey-brown bat with long fur. Mouth surrounded by wart-like bumps. Conspicuous noseleaf and large, rounded ears. Activity: Nocturnal. Flies low in the forest understory. Habits: Feeds on large insects and frogs (can discriminate poisonous frogs based on their calls). Roosts in small groups of up to 12 in tree hollows and caves. Habitat: Primary and secondary rainforest, and gallery forest, especially near streams and swamps. Status: Common. Distribution in Iwokrama

False Vampire BatVampyrum spectrum Size: body=14 cm; weight=180 g Description: Largest bat in South America. Dark brown with faint stripe down back. Ears large and rounded. Muzzle elongated with noseleaf positioned like a hood ornament. Activity: Usually forages during the early evening. Habits: It is carnivorous, preying on birds and small mammals (bats and mice). Roosts in tree hollows in groups consisting usually of a pair of monogamous adults and their non-breeding young. Habitat: Lowland forest, especially near swamps, forest edge, and secondary growth. Status: Rare. Distribution in Iwokrama

Sword-nosed BatLonchorhina aurita Size: body=6 cm; tail=5 cm; weight=13 g Description: Medium size with long brownish fur. Spectacular, long (about 2 cm) pointed noseleaf (fleshy leaf-like appendage on tip of nose) rivals large pointed ears. Activity: Active later in the evening. Slow, agile flight; can hover. Habits: Feeds on insects and some fruit. Large ears, noseleaf and agile flight suggest this bat listens for prey and picks it from vegetation (gleaning). Known to roost in large numbers in caves in other countries but only known in Guyana by one specimen caught over a dry creek bed in Iwokrama Forest. Habitat: Lowland rainforest. Status: Uncommon. Distribution in Iwokrama

Striped Hairy-nosed BatMimon crenulatum Size: body=6.5 cm; weight=14 g Description: Medium size with blackish fur and pale stripe along the back; underside buffy. Prominent noseleaf with serrated, hairy edges Activity: Nocturnal. Habits: Feeds on beetles and other insects probably gleaning them from vegetation. Small groups roost in rotting logs and tree stumps, and tree hollows. Habitat: Lowland rainforest and gallery forest. Status: Uncommon. Distribution in Iwokrama