Feral cats threaten the survival of the Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat

1 0 Monday, June 8, 2015 Edit this post

Bat Conservation International

ISLAND DESTINATION: Jamaica
ISLAND BAT: Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat (Natalus jamaicensis)

Feral cats threaten the survival of the Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat. Because this species roost low on cave walls in St. Clair Cave, they are easily hunted by resident feral cats. And now there is growing concern that the changing temperature in the cave, most likely due to erosion or climate change, may threaten the species’ only known roost site. Jamaican greater funnel-eared bats are highly vulnerable to extinction because of their small population, restricted geographic range, high-rate of predation, and a changing habitat.