Fringe-lipped bats, or Trachops cirrhosus, are small, carnivorous mammals living in the tropical forests of Panama. New scientific studies reveal just how exceptional these bats’ hunting strategies are. They are efficient energy conservers, and they are viciously efficient predators considering their small size. The bats are fitted with miniaturized “backpacks” containing biologging tags. These tools have provided scientists with unprecedented views into their behaviors, revealing that the bats spend a significant amount of time immobile in order to conserve energy.
These bats are able to attain a remarkable hunting success rate of 50%! Like other ambush predators, they usually prey on animals that are similar in size. They even go on to track animals such as the Rosenberg’s gladiator tree frog, a tiny amphibian weighing no more than 20 grams. Through patient waiting and careful hitting, fringe-lipped bats can take down large, energy-filled snacks. Their average prey size is roughly 7% of the bat’s body mass. As much as it blackens, this beautifully illustrates the bats’ astonishing talent to world-class hunt targets much larger.
The behavioral study indicated that fringe-lipped bats spent about 89% of their time remaining still rather than constantly flying in search of food. As a result, their hunting flights tended to be short, often less than three minutes. In reality, the average flight time was only eight seconds long! In a single case, a bat was observed eating the same meal for an impressive 84-minute duration. This focused strategy enables them to limit the amount of energy spent while still getting the most effective hunt in.
Fringe-lipped bats are known for their remarkable memory. They are able to remember specific frog calls for many years, which helps them in the search for prey. On top of that, they’re able to pick up novel hunting techniques by watching other bats in their social group. This powerful memory, paired with their extraordinary ability to learn by observation, allows them to become formidable predators.
Of the nine species of true carnivorous bats found around the world, fringe-lipped bats take the cake with their incredible hunting tactics. They’re incredible models of social learning. Their behavior not only reflects an adaptation to their environment but highlights the complexity of predator-prey dynamics in the ecosystems where they thrive.