Glossophaga soricina has several morphological features that have been interpreted as adaptations for nectivory: a long, extendable tongue for probing into flowers; divergent hair scales that hold pollen grains; and specializations in digestive physiology to facilitate digestion of nectar and pollen. G. soricina is known to carry a variety of endoparasites (cestodes, nematodes and protozoans) as well as at least 34 ectoparasites.
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
There are no indications that G. soricina is threatened at present.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
This species is probably important as a pollinator of flowers and disperser of seeds of economically important plant species.
Pollen, nectar, flower parts, fruit, insects. Glossophaga soricina is known to consume parts of at least 34 different species of plants and shows clear preferences locally.
Northern Mexico to Paraguay and northern Argentina, Jamaica, Bahamas.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Foraging habitat for G. soricina is described as moist and open.
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 10.0 years.
The average weight of of 6 adults from north coast of Colombia is 9 g; average weights of 10.5 g have been reported for other populations. Average forearm skull lengths for 4 males from Nicaragua are 36.4 and 21.45 mm, respectively. The same measurements for 4 females from Nicaragua are 35.75 and 21.3 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 9.6 g.
Average basal metabolic rate: 0.164 W.
Reproductive behavior varies somewhat geographically, though most accounts indicate that G. soricina either breeds continuously throughout the year or is bimodally polyestrous. Gestation lasts approximately 3.5 months. Normally only single offspring, but twins have been reported. Parturition occurs with the young in the head down position. Young cling cross-wise to the mother's ventral surface with the head just posterior to the mother's throat. Young have been obsereved hanging on their own at 18 days, but they are known to remain attached to their mother as late as 20 days old. Flight begins at about 25 to 28 days after birth.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average gestation period: 106 days.
Average number of offspring: 1.
