Craseonycteridae – Hog-nosed bat
The family of the adorably named Bumblebee bat – the smallest bat and arguably the smallest of all the mammals!
Weighing only two grams at the time of maturity, these bats are one of the rarest mammals in the world, which have only been seen in the Kwai river drainage in Thailand as of now. First discovered in 1974, these bats are tailless and have broad wings that allow them to hover in the air for long times.
These bats live in small groups of up to 20 individuals in roosts deep in the limestone caves, where they feed on spiders and insects of all kinds. Not much is known about the behavior and lifestyle of these bats because of their scarcity which could prove to be an obstacle in their conservation efforts if needed!
Genera in this family
The world’s smallest mammal with a big conservation challenge