Emily Chan
The carotenoid comes from the peels of small figs that the bats eat. The figs are produced by a particular tree, Ficus columbrinae, which grows on riverbanks. Larger, well-fed males will have brighter colors and be more attractive to females.
The Honduran white bat is categorized as a near-threatened species. Their habitat and diet are very specific, as they strictly eat figs and only live by the river.
Education on bats and their environmental impact has helped build awareness around the importance of conservation. For instance, the once-common practice of killing bats is no longer performed in the community.
You can see Honduran white bats at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica. The private reserve protects nearly 4,000 species of animals and plants.
