Species › Mammals › Gray Sac-winged Bat

Gray Sac-winged Bat

Balantiopteryx plicata

RareMammal
Illustration of Gray Sac-winged Bat (Balantiopteryx plicata)
Safety note: May carry rabies — do not approach or handle.

The Gray Sac-winged Bat is a small, colonial bat of dry tropical forests along the Pacific Coast of Mexico and Central America. Males have sac-like glands in their wing membranes that produce complex aromatic secretions used in courtship displays—one of the most sophisticated chemical communication systems known in bats. Day roosts in building crevices and hollow trees typically hold 10 to 200 individuals.

Habitat
Dry tropical forests and towns along the Pacific Coast of Mexico
Diet
Flying insects
How common
Rare

Not certain it is a Gray Sac-winged Bat? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Gray Sac-winged Bat sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Gray Sac-winged Bat?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More mammals

Gray Seal
Gray Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Gray Whale
Gray Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Gray-collared Chipmunk
Gray-collared Chipmunk
Neotamias cinereicollis
Gray-footed Chipmunk
Gray-footed Chipmunk
Neotamias canipes
Grayish Mouse Opossum
Grayish Mouse Opossum
Tlacuatzin canescens
Grayish Tayra
Grayish Tayra
Eira barbara senilis
Great Basin Pocket Mouse
Great Basin Pocket Mouse
Perognathus parvus