Have you ever wondered what mammals are unique to Hawaii?
Did you know that there is only one terrestrial mammal that is native to Hawaii?
There are many mammals that are unique to Hawaii, but only one land mammal is native. The Hawaiian Hoary Bat. Yes, there are other land mammals on Hawaii, but those were all introduced by humans. The Hawaiian Hoary Bat is an endangered species.
Wondering how it got its name?
The hoary bat got its name because of the hoary or "frosty" appearance of its fur, which is brown but frosted white on its back. The Hawaiian word, ʻōpeʻapeʻa ("half-leaf"), refers to the outline of the bat's body, which is shaped like half a taro leaf. The Hawaiian hoary bat weighs about half an ounce, between 14 to 18 grams. A female hoary bat is larger than a male, having a wingspan of approximately 10.5 to 13.5 in (27 to 34 cm).
Fossil records show that the Hawaiian Hoary Bat was once present on the islands of Hawaiʻi, Molokaʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi, but now you only see them on Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi.
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