They weigh approximately. Their forearms are about long. Their dental formula is Their abdomens are paler than their backs. It is considered one of the smaller members of its genus. They have a relatively short skull compared to other Lonchophylla species. Their nose-leaf is small, measuring long and wide. Their ears are long and wide. The tragus tapers to a point, and is about long. The lower lip is grooved, and bordered with small, wart-like protuberances. The calcar is pronounced but short, at long.
Biology and ecology
Their home range is. Home ranges consist of almost equal parts of the cerrado biome and pasture. It feeds on nectar. Plants comprising its diet include Hymenaea stigonocarpa, members of the Bauhinia genus, and Luehea trees. They also consume nectar from plants of the Lafoensia and Pseudobombax genera. In the dry season, which is when nectar is most abundant, they feed predominantly on nectar. In the wet season, however, they will increase their insect and fruit consumption. Pups are found July through November. They are thought to be monoestrous, breeding only once per year. Because the roosts contain more females than males, it is possible that they have a haremsocial structure. They emerge from their roosts shortly after dusk, and return just before dawn in the rainy season. In the dry season, they will return briefly around midnight before leaving again, returning again before dawn. They have 28 chromosomes.
One of the threats to this species is inappropriate efforts to eradicate vampire bats. Vampire bat culling techniques are often applied indiscriminately, and end up killing other species of bat, including endangered species. Methods include lighting dynamite in caves or cementing caves shut during the day while bats are roosting. Current vampire batmanagement practices have serious and significant negative effects on its population. In 1996, this species was evaluated as vulnerable by the IUCN, which was later revised to near threatened in 2008. In 2016, its status was again revised to endangered. It is listed as endangered because the population likely consists of fewer than 2,500 individuals, its distribution is patchy and limited, and its suitable habitat is rapidly declining. There are six identified subpopulations; each is thought to have fewer than 100 individuals. Because it is associated with karstic landscapes, it is threatened by disturbance from mining.
