Cinnamon Red Bat

Identification

The cinnamon red bat is a small bat with a forearm length of 39–42 mm and a weight of just 9.5–11.0 g, making it one of the tiniest members of its genus. Its most distinctive feature is its deep red fur coloration, which lacks the white "frosting" on hair tips seen in related species. The hairs on its back are tricolored, with black bases, yellowish middles, and vibrant cinnamon-red tips, while its belly fur has more extensive black banding. It also displays yellowish shoulder patches, a black snout, and pale yellowish-orange coloration on its forehead and neck. Its wings are long and narrow with black membranes, and its tail membrane is densely furred with hairs extending beyond the membrane edge.

Range & Habitat

The cinnamon red bat is found only in South America, with a range restricted to southern Argentina and central and southern Chile. It is one of the southernmost bat species on the continent, and probably occurs in Tierra del Fuego, though recent records from that region are scarce. In Chile, it inhabits sclerophyllous forests in the central region and the Valdivian temperate rain forest near the coast. In Argentina, it occurs in Patagonian temperate rainforests, with documented records from Chubut, Neuquén, and Río Negro provinces.

Behaviour & Diet

This is a solitary species, though individuals may roost together in small family groups during the day, typically in tree foliage, though occasionally on rocks. The cinnamon red bat is insectivorous, hunting moths and beetles on the wing with fast, direct flight. It may exploit human settlements by hunting insects attracted to street lights. Like other insectivorous bats, it navigates and hunts using echolocation with three distinct call types: search calls (long duration, frequencies from 52–33 kHz), approach calls (closer together than search calls), and a final feeding buzz of steeply frequency-modulated calls. The exact structure of these calls varies depending on environmental clutter.

Best Time & Places to See It

The cinnamon red bat is active during the warmer months in its southern range, though little is documented about seasonal patterns. The best opportunities to observe this species are in the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and the Patagonian regions of Argentina, particularly in Chubut, Neuquén, and Río Negro provinces. Evening observations near street lights in developed areas adjacent to suitable habitat may increase chances of sightings, as the bats often forage in these locations.

Photography Tips

Photographing the cinnamon red bat presents significant challenges due to its small size, nocturnal habits, and remote southern range. High-speed flash photography will be essential to capture sharp images of this fast-flying species in flight. The bat's distinctive cinnamon-red coloration and lack of white frosting make it photographically distinctive if successfully captured. Daytime roost photography may be more feasible, focusing on the tricolored hair pattern and shoulder patches. A macro lens and patience will be required to document the subtle color variations that distinguish this species from its relatives.