Peters’s Disk-winged Bat

Peters's disk-winged bat (Thyroptera discifera) is a bat species mainly found in South and Central America. It belongs to the family Thyropteridae, a small group of disk-winged bats. They are the smallest species of their genus and are characterized by yellowish brown ventral pelage that is slightly paler than that on the back. They have a distinguishing feature of circular, suction disks at the base of their thumbs and hind feet. They use these suction disks to cling onto young unfurling banana or heliconia leaves to roost while avoiding rain and predators. They are very similar in appearance and easily confused with Thyroptera tricolor which has a paler venter than dorsum, and two cartilaginous projections on the calcar. == Description == Bats in the family Thyropteridae do not have a noseleaf but instead have warts above their nostrils. They are smaller bats with long and slender snouts. T. discifera is the smallest of the family and possess thick lips, small eyes, and fairly large ears that extend from the eyes to the edge of the mouth. The tragus is present and the ears are covered in hair on the front side. Their entire body is also covered in fine, long…