spectral bat

The spectral bat, also known as the specter bat or tropical American false vampire bat (Vampyrum spectrum), is the largest bat in the New World. It belongs to the family Phyllostomidae, which comprises American leaf-nosed bats found from the United States to Argentina. These bats inhabit diverse environments, from forests to deserts.12

The spectral bat has a wingspan of over 60 cm (24 inches) and is carnivorous. Phyllostomid bats, as a family, have varied diets, including insects, fruit, nectar, and pollen. While most bats are insectivorous and play a role in insect population control, pollination, and seed dispersal, some, like vampire bats within the Phyllostomidae family, can be pests to livestock. Bats are significant in various ecosystems and have cultural symbolism, though some species are hunted for food.123