Crimson-Bellied Bat

Crimson-bellied bats are a species of bat from the planet Rubrinea. They are the largest bat species on the planet, and are unfortunately endangered as more powerful predators are making these creatures redundant.

Anatomy

Crimson-bellied bats are the largest bat species on the planet, with a wingspan of 140 centimetres. They have an entirely red colouration, with very little variation aside from the inside of their wings. Their bodies are very round with blubber around their bellies, protecting their vital organs. Their heads are small with large ears pointing directly upwards. On their crowns are a crest of hair follicles, closely packed together to form a large red quiff.

Crimson-bellied bats have backwards facing legs, which better help them to climb up trees and hang on branches. They have hollow bones to keep them in the air for longer, which simultaneously aids in hanging on branches.

No way! Check out how red these bats are!
No shit, they have "crimson" right in their name.
Shut up, Greg.
— Excited visitors

Behaviour

Our crimson-bellied bats are very well behaved. As most animals are, they are surprisingly intelligent, and are capable of associative learning at high levels. We have posted a large clock above the enclosure, and the bats know that when both hands reach the yellow point on the clock, it is feeding time.

Bats in the wild are seldom seen by native rubidian. They inhabit the large forested caves worldwide, and live in incredible sized flocks of up to a thousand individuals. When rubidians get anywhere close to the nests, they will flee further into the caves. They are opportunistic predators and will wait for hours to hunt their prey at the most effective time.

Verra srs and adorable flap-flap critter
— Enthusiastic visitor who loves the bats so much they asked to take one home

Crimson-Bellied Bat by Mochi

Scientific Name
Capillopteros rubrum
Home Planet
Rubrinea
Average Length
50 - 60cm
Average Wingspan
140cm
Average Lifespan
5 years in the wild
8 - 12 years in captivity
Sector
Flying Mammals 3

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Capillopteros
Species: C. Rubrum

Conservation Status
Vulnerable

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Distribution & Habitat

Crimson-bellied bats are found worldwide, predominantly in the Afilan Region near the Equator. These bats inhabit large cave systems, ones that contain forests inside. Crimson-bellied bats prefer to hang from large branches in groups rather than on the roofs of caves, and they will even hang from trees growing from the roof of the caves.

During night-times they will venture out of their caves to hunt. They are omnivorous, and don't target live prey that often, but when they do they will wait for hours for their prey to be in the perfect position for hunting that requires the least amount of energy. Crimson-bellied bats do not like to waste excess energy, which is why they spend their days sleeping perfectly still.

Diet & Hunting

Crimson-bellied bats are omnivorous and consume a greatly varied diet. They hunt a variety of prey, predominantly warm-blooded prey and nocturnal insects that emit light. Their diet consists of about 45% live prey and 55% plant matter.

These bats eat a lot of fruits, as they provide many required nutrients. They mostly eat small fruits that can be swallowed whole, digesting everything but the seeds which are distributed as the bats defecate on their nightly hunts.

Our bats are fed a perfectly balanced diet that shifts with their seasonal changes. During mating season, we switch to a more seed based diet that gives them more energy to mate.

What is that? Fluffy Flap-Flap?
— Another visitor who loves the bats so much they want to take one home

Crimson-Bellied Bat Mating Programme

Here at the A To Zoo we are trying our best to increase the populations of all Vulnerable and Endangered animals. Crimson-bellied bats are one such animal who's populations are dwindling on their native planet.

Timeline of bat births

Late 4592

Parents: Ang & Fang
Offspring: Marsh & Bara Parents: Nduh & Berei
Offspring: River, Amifi & Tobi

Early 4593

Parents: Ang & Fang
Offspring: Tera Parents: Aporas & Berei
Offspring: Rhosi

Late 4593

Parents: Ghaler & Arrid
Offspring: San & Sandy Parents: Yivi & Oliv
Offspring: Xetxe

Early 4594

Parents: Edla & Mashis
Offspring: Trhie, Jiye & Abdasi Parents: Ghaler & Oliv
Offspring: Odia & Areis

Late 4594

Parents: Tobi & Marsh
Offspring: Moris Parents: Rhosi & Tera
Offspring: Syss, Brizsha & Jisle

Early 4595

Parents: Xetxe & San
Offspring: Sarash & Zheg Parents: Luken & Viczi
Offspring: Ayaear

I am incredibly honoured to have the responsibility of this breeding programme. Personally, I am quite a fan of the crimson-bellied bats, and see us able to successfully produce baby bats year after year warms my heart.
— Zoo Curator, Rox