Species MammalsMexican Long-tongued Bat

Mexican Long-tongued Bat

Choeronycteris mexicana

RareMammal
Illustration of Mexican Long-tongued Bat (Choeronycteris mexicana)
Safety note: May carry rabies — do not approach or handle.

The Mexican Long-tongued Bat is a nectar- and pollen-feeding bat with an elongated snout and a brush-tipped tongue that can extend well beyond the tip of its nose to access agave and cactus flowers. It is a critical pollinator of agave plants in the southwestern United States and Mexico—including the blue agave used to make tequila. The bat migrates seasonally from Mexico into southern Arizona as flowering plants become available.

Habitat
Desert washes, thorn forest, and mountain canyons
Diet
Nectar, pollen, and some insects and fruit
How common
Rare

Best time to see a Mexican Long-tongued Bat

The best time to see a Mexican Long-tongued Bat is June–September, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 166 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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

Recent Mexican Long-tongued Bat sightings near you

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

Spot a Mexican Long-tongued Bat? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Mexican Long-tongued Bat is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Mexican Mouse Opossum
Mexican Mouse Opossum
Marmosa mexicana
Mexican Porcupine
Mexican Porcupine
Coendou mexicanus
Mexican Raccoon
Mexican Raccoon
Procyon lotor hernandezii
Mexican Small-eared Shrew
Mexican Small-eared Shrew
Cryptotis mexicana
Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse
Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse
Liomys irroratus
Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse
Mexican Spiny Pocket Mouse
Heteromys irroratus
Mexican Tayra
Mexican Tayra
Eira barbara senilis
Mexican Vole
Mexican Vole
Microtus mexicanus