Rhinolophus trifoliatus Temminck, 1834

Species Classification

Rhinolophus trifoliatus is a medium-sized horseshoe bat.

Size Measurements

It has a forearm length ranging from 47 to 52 mm (1.9 to 2.0 in), and a body weight between 10.5 and 18 g (0.37 to 0.63 oz).

Physical Appearance

This bat has fluffy, pale grey fur, along with a yellow nose-leaf and yellow ear membranes.

Habitat

Individuals of this species are caught in the understory of both primary and secondary rainforest.

Social Behavior and Roosting

R. trifoliatus is thought to be a solitary species, and observed individuals roost underneath exposed leaves.

Camouflage Adaptation

Similar to the neotropical Honduran white bat, it has been hypothesized that the pale fur of R. trifoliatus is an adaptation for camouflage while roosting: sunlight filtering through the roosting leaf turns the pale fur green, helping the bat blend in.