Bats
Over 500 species of plants rely on bats as their main pollinator, including (but not limited to) many tropical fruits and species of cacti. Bats, being nocturnal, are particularly drawn to white flowers that bloom at night. Some bats have evolved specifically to consume the nectar of these plants.
DID YOU KNOW: Some species of bat have exceptionally long tongues for gathering nectar. For instance, the Tube-lipped nectar bat of Ecuador has a tongue that is almost twice the length of its entire body!
One bat responsible for pollinating many beloved plants is the Lesser Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuena). It is a major pollinator for the saguaro cactus, which can grow up to 50 feet in height and provide shelter, food, and shade for a wide variety of desert fauna. It is also the main pollinator for agave plants, from which mezcal and tequila are distilled (so if you are a fan of mezcal, you have this little critter to thank for it!).
Unfortunately, commercial agave farming often dictates cutting the plant before it flowers, depriving these bats of a critical food source. It also is bad for the agave population, as reproduction solely through the process of cloning weakens genetic diversity, making the plants more susceptible to disease. It is possible that this practice contributed to lesser long-nosed bats being added to the endangered species list in 1988. However, through efforts to protect roosts and restore native agave species, it became the first bat to be successfully de-listed, and its populations are on the rise.
Sources
Bats as Pollinators
Lesser Long Nosed Bat
Agave Restoration