Leaf-bearers belong to the family of leaf-bearing bats of the bats order. There are several subfamilies in the leaf-nosed bat family, with nearly 150 species. In nature, there are both carnivorous leaf-bearing (vampires, true leaf-bearing) and fruit-eating (fruit-eating leaf-bearing).
Leaf-noses are small bats common in South and Central America. Their weight does not exceed 15 grams.
The basis of nutrition for leaf-bearers is insects. Some leaf-bearing species eat birds, small mammals and amphibians. One of the species, called folded leaf, prefers to eat fruits.
The name of these bats reflects their appearance - there is a leathery appendage at the end of the muzzle, which gives the animal an interesting appearance feature.
Leaf noses have wide wings, these mice even know how to hover in the air. The color of the hairline is different and depends on the variety. The number of teeth is from 20 to 34, the chewing surface is different, depending on the type and type of food. Carnivores have sharp tubercles, blood-sucking ones have developed front incisors.
The habitat of these bats is different. They can be found in tropical forests and deserts. During the day, leaf-bearers hide in shelters, and at night they go out in search of food. They live in buildings, hollows, tree crowns, caves. There is one cub in the litter.
Vampires are also found among these mice - they prefer to feed on the blood of mammals. However, there are those who like nectar and pollen (long-faced leaf-noses). Some of these bats are omnivorous at all.
In space, leaf-noses are oriented using ultrasound. Carnivore species have excellent sense of smell and good eyesight.