Shaped for fast flight
Long narrow wings and a tail projecting beyond the membrane give this bat speed in open air. Its fur feels unusually soft, explaining the common name. Rounded ears meet near the forehead. Close examination separates it from similar free-tailed bats.
Tropical roosts
The bats use tree cavities, palm crowns, rock cracks, and buildings. Warm crevices shelter groups by day. After sunset, they hunt flying insects above clearings, water, streets, and forest edges. High, rapid flight makes them difficult to watch.
Females gather in maternity groups. A mother recognizes her pup through scent and calls. The colony needs warmth and a clear flight path.
Florida at the edge
The range extends through the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical South America. South Florida records sit near its northern limit. Reports cluster around known roosts and surveys, so they aren’t a measure of abundance.
Living near people
The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern. Roost loss, pesticides, and disturbance can affect local groups. Buildings may replace natural cavities, but repairs can suddenly remove a long-used shelter.
