Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat, often called the bumblebee bat, is one of the smallest mammals in the world. Weighing less than a penny and measuring barely over an inch in length, this bat is a fascinating example of evolutionary adaptation. Found only in Thailand and Myanmar, it occupies a specialized ecological niche, roosting in limestone caves and feeding on tiny flying insects.
Meet Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat
Classification
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat is remarkably tiny, with a body length of just 29 to 33 mm (1.1 to 1.3 inches) and a weight of 1.7 to 2 grams (0.059 to 0.071 ounces), making it comparable in size to a large bumblebee. It has a distinctive pig-like nose, which gives the species its name. Unlike many other bats, its tail is reduced to an almost vestigial state, appearing as a tiny nub without an external tail membrane.
Its fur ranges from reddish-brown to grayish, with a lighter underside. The wings are relatively long and broad, allowing for agile flight and even hovering movements while foraging. Another distinctive feature is its large, rounded ears, which aid in echolocation, though its eyes are small and partially hidden by fur. Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat also has a well-developed uropatagium (a membrane between its hind legs), which helps in maneuverability while flying.
This species is the sole member of the family Craseonycteridae, making it a unique evolutionary lineage within the bat order (Chiroptera). Despite its small size, it has a specialized dental formula (1:1:1:3 in the upper jaw and 2:1:2:3 in the lower jaw), which reflects its insectivorous diet.
Where Does Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat Live?
Biogeographic Realm: Indomalaya
Continents: Asia
Subcontinents: Southeast Asia
Habitats (IUCN): Forest, Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic), Artificial - Terrestrial
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat has an extremely restricted distribution, found only in parts of western Thailand and southeastern Myanmar. In Thailand, populations are concentrated within the Tenasserim Hills, Kanchanaburi Province, particularly in Sai Yok National Park and the surrounding areas. In Myanmar, it inhabits a small region near the Dawna Hills.
This species is highly specialized in its habitat preferences, exclusively roosting in limestone caves near rivers within dry evergreen or deciduous forests. These caves provide both shelter and a stable microclimate. The bats form colonies ranging from 10 to 500 individuals per cave, though 100 is the average. They typically stay within a 1 km (0.6 mi) range of their roosting site, foraging in nearby forests, bamboo groves, and agricultural fields.
What Do Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bats Eat?
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat is an insectivore, primarily consuming small flying insects. Its diet includes flies (Chloropidae, Agromyzidae, Anthomyiidae), hymenopterans (wasps, ants, and bees), and psocopterans (barklice and booklice). Unlike some bats that use their tail membrane for capturing prey, Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat snatches insects directly with its mouth while flying.
The bat follows a strict foraging schedule, leaving its roost for about 30 minutes after sunset and returning before full darkness. A second foraging session occurs just before dawn. It hunts near treetops, bamboo stands, and open agricultural areas, demonstrating a fluttering, hovering flight pattern as it plucks insects from the air or off vegetation.
What Eats Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bats? – Predators & Natural Enemies
There is limited research on specific predators of Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat, but given its size and habitat, it is likely preyed upon by birds of prey, such as owls, and arboreal snakes that may raid its cave roosts. Other possible predators include small carnivorous mammals, such as civets or weasels, that could access their caves.
If a bat dies inside the cave, scavengers such as insects and small rodents are likely to feed on its remains. However, due to its nocturnal activity and preference for deep cave roosts, predation events are rarely observed.
Behavior & Lifestyle
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat is primarily crepuscular, meaning it is most active at dusk and dawn. It spends the majority of its time roosting inside caves, where it remains high up on the walls or roof, spaced apart from others in its colony.
The species is social but not highly interactive, forming stable colonies of around 100 individuals. Unlike some bats that huddle together, Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat keeps a certain distance from its neighbors while roosting. The bats are known to switch roosting caves seasonally, possibly in response to temperature changes or food availability.
Communication is primarily through echolocation, which it uses both for navigation and hunting. Its flight is highly maneuverable, with rapid wingbeats and sudden direction changes, allowing it to hover and pick insects off vegetation.
How Do Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bats Reproduce?
Very little is known about the reproductive cycle of Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat, but researchers have determined that females give birth to a single offspring per year, typically during the dry season (March to May).
Pregnant females gather in small maternity colonies, likely within specific cave chambers. After birth, the mother nurses the pup, which clings to her body during roosting. Given the small size of the species, it is likely that the young develop quickly and reach independence within a few months. However, data on gestation length, weaning time, and longevity remain scarce.
Are Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bats Endangered? – Conservation Status & Threats
Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List, with its population declining. The primary threats to this species include:
- Habitat destruction – Limestone quarrying, deforestation, and land conversion for agriculture are destroying the caves and forests where it roosts and feeds.
- Human disturbance – Tourists and researchers entering caves can cause stress and disrupt colonies, potentially leading to abandonment of key roost sites.
- Climate change – Altered weather patterns may affect insect availability and impact their strict foraging schedule.
Conservation efforts include legal protection in Thailand, particularly within Sai Yok National Park, where many of its cave roosts are located. However, more research and conservation measures are needed to protect Myanmar’s populations and ensure that caves outside of protected areas remain undisturbed.
Public awareness and sustainable ecotourism initiatives could also help minimize human impact while fostering conservation efforts for this unique and diminutive species.
