The Talamancan Yellow-shouldered Bat, Sturnira mordax, is considered a resident in the montane intermediate and high zones of Costa Rica (northwest, Caribbean, southern Pacific region) and western Panama (McCarthy et al. 2005). It is strongly associated with moist habitats and tropical evergreen forests, dry forests, and deciduous forests. This species is strongly frugivorous; it possibly feeds on pollen and nectar; the diet includes fruits of Centropogon, Anthurium, Cecropia, and banana (Matson and McCarthy 2004); some insects have been found in its diet too. Pregnant females have been recorded in April (Howell and Burck 1974, Reid 2009). Males are larger than females for most body proportions (McCarthy et al. 2005).

Sturnira mordax only occurs in Costa Rica and Panama (McCarthy et al. 2005).

Found in protected areas in Costa Rica and Panama.