Molossus molossus molossus, the velvety free-tailed bat, ranges from Mexico to Argentina including the Caribbean islands, also occurring in the Florida Keys. One of the most common members of the clade Molossidae, these bats are commonly encountered in attics and thatched roofs throughout their range (their natural roost sites are in tree hollows). Like other members of Molossidae, mastiff bats are characterized by high-aspect-ratio wings – wings that are very long and narrow. This wing morphology facilitates very fast, efficient flight. However, it makes it very difficult for these bats to take off from a flat surface. If you capture one and hold it on the palm of your hand, it cannot fly away. Rather, these bats must drop or jump from a height to gain enough speed to start flying. |
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