The closest relative of the big-eared woolly bat, the spectral bat is a large, carnivorous leaf-nosed bat. It is usually found in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Known as the great false vampire bat or Linnaeus’s false vampire bat, the spectral bat is in fact the largest carnivorous bat. It has a robust skull and teeth which makes it easy for it to deliver a powerful bite to kill its prey.
What it feeds on depends on the availability of prey. It usually feeds on birds, rodents, and other species of bat. It also eats some insects like beetles. The caloric needs of a spectral bat are high and it has to feed often.
The overall population of the spectral bat is decreasing. In 2018, it was declared ‘near threatened’ by the IUCN.
Picture Credit : Google