Sturnira Lilium

The genus Sturnira is a group of New World leaf-nosed bats. It includes some of the most striking and interesting looking members of the bat family, with long, narrow snouts adorned with fleshy lumps, bumps and flaps of skin. The largest member of the genus is the Greater Antillean fruit bat (S. lilium), which has a wingspan of up to 1.5 m (5 ft) and can weigh up to 1 kg (2 lb). This species is found in the Caribbean islands, from Cuba and Hispaniola south to Trinidad. It feeds primarily on fruits, but will also eat leaves, flowers and insects.

The other members of the genus are smaller than S. lilium, with wingspans ranging from 30-60 cm (12-24 in). They are found throughout Central and South America, from Mexico to Argentina. Most species feed on fruits, but some will also consume leaves or flowers. One notable member of the genus is S. vinifera, the common Vampire bat; this species feeds primarily on blood drawn from sleeping mammals such as cattle or horses. However, it will also take fruit if necessary – a diet that likely helps keep its population healthy by preventing outbreaks of disease that would otherwise decimate a purely carnivorous population.

All Sturnira bats have large eyes relative to their body size; this adaptation likely aids them in finding ripe fruit at night while they are flying through dense forests at high speeds. Their long noses are used as both an echolocation organ for navigation and for detecting potential prey items; many species have additional “baffles” – structures made of fleshy skin that protrude from their nostrils – which may help to further focus incoming sound waves for more accurate echolocation detection . Some scientists believe that these baffles may also play a role in sexual selection , as they are often much more pronounced in males than females .

Sturnira bats roost during the day in trees or caves; tree roosts typically consist of small groups (1-10 individuals) while cave roosts can be quite large , containing hundreds or even thousands of bats . Social interactions within these groups appear to be relatively simple ; individuals tend not come into close contact with one another except when mating or engaging in aggression . For example , males will patrol their territories surrounding key resources such as food sources or good roosting sites , chasing away any intruders . Females appear to form temporary bonds with other females while raising their young ; however , these bonds do not last beyond weaning . After leaving their mother’s care , young bats disperse away from their natal groups and strike out on their own .