Science Has Just Identified Six Tube-nosed Bats

Somewhere beneath the towering forest trees lie creatures we’ve never seen before. Researchers from Lawrence University in the United States have officially recognized 6 new tube-nosed bat species from the Philippines, named after the unique shape of their nostrils.

The bats are as follows: Alvarez’s tube-nosed bat, Balete’s tube-nosed bat, Hilong-Hilong tube-nosed bat, Luzon tube-nosed bat, Philippine tube-nosed bat, and Mindoro tube-nosed bat. These bats were found from different parts of the Philippines. Though they all have varying traits, they share one distinct thing in common — their unique tube-shaped nostrils.

“These bats are notoriously elusive, so the tube-nosed bat collection this study examined was cobbled together over many years, expeditions, and memorable experiences — one bat at a time”, said Jodi Sedlock, study co-author.

The researchers also wrote that all six bats were captured within forests and protected areas that are threatened by agriculture and mining. Their habitats reportedly had lost 4%+ of their forest cover over the past few decades. There are also 58 large-scale mines currently operating in the Philippines, the researchers say.

It’s worth noting that while discovering these new-to-science creatures leaves us in awe, we’ve been unknowingly posing a threat to their environment — and by extension, to their species. We should take more responsibility and make the right choices, because money won’t be able to replace their lives.

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