bocas del toro panama bocas del toro

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There are almost 1000 species of bats worldwide, with the majority living in tropical regions. It is no surprise, then, that the Bocas del Toro Archipelago is home to dozens of species of these curious, winged mammals. Many bats emit high-frequency sounds while flying and locate food or avoid obstacles in their path by capturing the echoes with their sensitive ears. Because bats are active only at night, residents and tourists in the Bocas area may not even be aware that they are present. Many bat species are distinguished by the food they eat. The small insect-eating species so common in North America and Europe do have equivalents in Bocas, but the rich tropical environment provides a smorgasbord of other food items for those bats adapted to partake of them.

bocas del toro bats panama A tourist at a dockside table in Bocas town once asked a waiter "Why are those birds swooping over the water this late at night?" The waiter replied "Those aren’t birds, they are fishing bats. In Spanish they are called murcielagos pescadores." He was referring to bats that use their sharp-clawed feet to snag tiny fish swimming near the surface. These are relatively large bats with a 20-inch wingspan and a face like a bulldog. A related species feeds on insects flying near the water’s surface. Both of these species occur from Mexico, throughout Central America, and down into South America.

Also found in the islands are several species of fruit-eating bats, as well as others that seek nectar and pollen from blossoms. The bats are beneficial to the forest plants because they serve as seed dispersers and pollinators. Large carnivorous bats patrol the forest in the Bocas area looking for small rodents and lizards, but will not hesitate to eat a small roosting bird, or even another bat. Vampire bats are fairly common on the mainland and probably also occur on the islands. These medium-sized bats take small amounts of blood from forest animals and may occasionally bite livestock. These secretive creatures are not a danger to humans, however.

While the locals and visitors are enjoying the beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and hiking trails of the area, Boca’s bats snooze peacefully in daytime roosts . The limestone caves of the islands serve as sleeping quarters for thousands of bats of several species. One large cave on Isla Colon, called La Gruta, is not only a religious shrine but also a place where tourists can view hundreds of bats hanging from the ceiling. It is best to stay out of other caves because the air is foul, the cave floor is often slippery with bat excrement, and a person could sustain head damage from the jagged ceiling in the dark. Only trained biologists with special permits from the Panamanian government should enter bat caves.

Other bat species roost under tree bark, within clumps of dried palm fronds, and occasionally under the roofs of houses. A few species of bats modify palm and banana leaves to create their own roosts. These "tent-making" bats are small fruit-eaters that chew across the large leaves to cause the sides to droop down in the form of a tent. While not completely dark, the shady roost provides the little bats a place to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

During the reproductive season bat roosts take on the appearance of maternity wards. Females usually give birth to only one young, which may weight up to 30% of the weight of the mother! And the newborn’s feet, needed to hang onto the mother, are almost adult size! Mother bats nurse their young from breasts located on the chest. Bats grow fast; the young are often flying at four weeks. Some bats have been found to live over 30 years, which is an extraordinary life span for a small mammal.

Since bats are a natural and beneficial part of the environment around Bocas, it stands to reason that they should be protected. Unfortunately, bats throughout the world are considered spooky, even slimy, creatures that go out of their way to harm people. This undeserved reputation has caused some humans to kill bats whenever possible. An even greater menace to bat populations is habitat destruction due to agricultural activities and development in general. As the Bocas del Toro Archipelago feels the impact of increased human activity, including ecotourism, it is very important that measures be taken to protect bats and other wildlife.