There is no fossil record found of F. horrens (Nowak, 1994).
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
F. horrens was listed as threatened, with a lower risk rating, in 1996. Currently it is not considered to be endangered or threatened (UNEP-WCMC Online Database, 2001).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
F. horrens are insectivorous. Evidence from fecal samples suggests that they mainly prey on butterflys and moths (Lepidoptera) (Nowak, 1994). They usually look for prey at heights of 1-5 meters above the forest floor (Nowak, 1994).
Animal Foods: insects
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Furipterus horrens occurs from Costa Rica to Peru and Brazil and onto Trinidad (UNEP-WCMC Online Database, 2001).
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
F. horrens is found in caves. They have also been known to live near or around streams and other moist areas deep in the forests. They have been found hanging in clusters in hollowed out logs (Nowak, 1994).
Habitat Regions: tropical
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest
Length usually is from 33-40 mm, tail length around 24-36 mm, and forearm length from 30-40 mm (Nowak, 1994). Average specimens weigh about 3 grams (Nowak, 1994). The fur on the head is fairly long and thick, covering all the head as far as the mouth, almost concealing the mouth (Nowak, 1994). The tail is short, with both surfaces of the uropatagium haired (Nowak, 1994). The coloration is brownish gray, dark gray, or slaty blue above and usually somewhat lighter below (Nowak, 1994). Specimens of F. horrens (along with those of the related genus Amorphochilus) are easily distinguished by their reduced thumbs, which are included in the wing membrane that runs to the base of the small, funtionless claw (Nowak, 1994). The ears are seperate and funnel-shaped, while the snout is piglike (Nowak, 1994). Females are usually significantly larger than males. Their dental formula is 2/3, 1/1, 2/3, 3/3=36 (Nowak, 1994).
Average mass: 3 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average number of offspring: 1.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
After being born the young position themselves head up on the mother's body (Nowak, 1994). This is in response to the unusual abdominal location of the mammae combined with the fact that the mothers hang in the usual head down position (Nowak, 1994).
Parental Investment: altricial
The thumbless bat (Furipterus horrens) is a species of insectivorous bat in the family Furipteridae, in the monotypic genus Furipterus. They have a small thumb which is included in the membrane of the wing, causing the 'thumbless' appearance.[3]
The thumbless bat belongs to the family Furipteridae (Mammalia: Chiroptera) which is currently composed of only two genera: Amorphochilus and Furipterus.[4] Both genera are monotypic. The first description of the species was proposed by Frédéric Cuvier in 1828, separating the taxon to a new genus Furia.[2][4] The taxon was reassigned to Furipterus in 1839 by Charles Bonaparte.[4]
The thumbless bat is found in Central and South America. Its range includes Costa Rica, Panama, southern Brazil and Bolivia.[5][6] as well as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Trinidad, and Peru. In Brazil, it was recorded in twelve different regions covering the Amazon, Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes.[7][8]
Its populations are rare and very local, but widespread.[6][9] Male and female bats may live separately during some parts of the year. There were found more than 60 males occupying one hollow.[10] Thumbless bats are aerial and insectivorous.
The thumbless bat is found in caves. Additionally, it is associated with moist environments. Thumbless bats were detected significantly more frequently over large lakes(Emmons and Feer 1997).[6] The moist habitat plays a key role for aerial insectivorous bats. However, thumbless bat's activity is significantly higher in forest compared to the lakes. They roots in small clusters in colonies for up to 60 individuals in caves. The nests are located in deep cracks between rocks.
The thumbless bat (Furipterus horrens) is a species of insectivorous bat in the family Furipteridae, in the monotypic genus Furipterus. They have a small thumb which is included in the membrane of the wing, causing the 'thumbless' appearance.