Species › Mammals › Seba's Short-tailed Bat

Seba's Short-tailed Bat

Carollia perspicillata

UncommonMammal
Illustration of Seba's Short-tailed Bat (Carollia perspicillata)
Safety note: May carry rabies — do not approach or handle.

Seba's Short-tailed Bat is one of the most abundant bats in tropical forests of Mexico and Central America and is arguably the single most important seed disperser for early-successional plants in Neotropical ecosystems. It specializes on Piper (pepper) fruit and its gut-processed seeds germinate faster than non-ingested seeds, making it critical for forest regeneration in disturbed areas. It is a key study species in pollination and seed-dispersal ecology.

Habitat
Tropical forests, clearings, and caves
Diet
Piper fruit and other small tropical fruits
How common
Uncommon

Not certain it is a Seba's Short-tailed Bat? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Seba's Short-tailed Bat sightings near you

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

Spotted a Seba's Short-tailed 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

Sei Whale
Sei Whale
Balaenoptera borealis
Seminole Bat
Seminole Bat
Lasiurus seminolus
Serval
Serval
Leptailurus serval
Shaw's Mastiff Bat
Shaw's Mastiff Bat
Eumops auripendulus
Shiras Moose
Shiras Moose
Alces alces shirasi
Short-beaked Common Dolphin
Short-beaked Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
Short-finned Pilot Whale
Short-finned Pilot Whale
Globicephala macrorhynchus
Siamang
Siamang
Symphalangus syndactylus