Vampyrum spectrum

Reproduction

     Like most mammals, Spectral bats perform sexual reproduction and have internal fertilization to sire new offspring. These bats are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Female bats also contain the defining feature of mammals and have a modified sweat gland which produces milk for the new batch of young.

     These bats form monogamous pairs which is normally for life. The reproduction of this species of bats has barely been studied and there is little to no data cataloged about their estrous or gestation period. It is believed that most bats breed during the dry season of their habitat in order to give birth to young as soon as the wet season begins so that food is abundant. These bats normally breed once a year and only give birth to 1 live young. Because of this low rate of reproduction, these bats have one of the highest parental involvement seen in the bat family. Both adults assist in the rearing of the young, and take turns leaving the nests in search of food while the other remains behind to watch the young. The parents take care of the young until they are fully able to function on their own. Male bats have even been known to sleep with the female and pup under his wing. This particular species of bat has been known to live up to 6 years in captivity but its lifespan in the wild is unknown and is predicted to be as high as 10 years.