The Earth is home to more than 1,200 species of bats, with the bumblebee bat being the smallest among them. It can be found only in a few caves in Thailand and Myanmar. The tiny creature earned its name honestly, as it is small enough to rest comfortably on the finger of an average human.
The bumblebee bat was first discovered in 1973. Its size ranges from 29 to 33 millimeters, and it weighs only up to two grams. Its wingspan is also very small, measuring just 170 millimeters. Since its discovery, the bat has become a tourist attraction in western Thailand, where it has been spotted in more than 40 limestone caves, and in Myanmar, where it has been located in five caves.
Unfortunately, the attention from humans in recent decades has negatively affected the tiny mammal. Some caves in Thailand have become busy visitor centers, causing the destruction of its natural habitats.
“These ecotourism activities are harmless as long as tourists do not damage or alter the animals’ natural environment,” explained a Thai bat expert in an interview. “In most cases, when a cave is promoted as a tourist attraction, modifications are eventually made to make it more comfortable and accessible for visitors.”
These bats live in relatively small groups of 10 to 100 individuals, with approximately 500 such groups identified by researchers. The tiny creatures, which feed on insects, leave their roosts for 30 minutes every evening and for only 20 minutes at dawn.
The species is considered close to endangered. In 2009, the population of bumblebee bats in Thailand was estimated at around 45,000, while no data was collected for their Myanmar neighbors, where their numbers are expected to be much lower.