About Lonchorhina aurita Tomes, 1863
Lonchorhina aurita was first described by Tomes in 1863. This bat has long ears with sharply pointed tips. It has a large nose-leaf that can reach up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long. Its fur is dark brown or black, and its wing membranes (patagia) are also black. Forearm length of individuals ranges from 47–57 mm (1.9–2.2 in), and body mass ranges from 10–22 g (0.35–0.78 oz). It has a dental formula of 2.1.2.3 over 2.1.3.3, giving a total of 34 teeth. This species occurs in multiple countries across Central and South America: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. It has been recorded in lowland areas as well as at elevations up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level. L. aurita is primarily insectivorous, although there is one documented record of an individual eating fruit. It is nocturnal, and roosts in sheltered sites such as caves or culverts during the day. Roosts host colonies of 10 to 500 individuals, and L. aurita shares these roosts with other bat species.
