Coastal Sheathtail Bat

Family: Emballonuridae
Scientific name: Taphozous australis

Where they roost:
In caves, cracks, under rock ledges and piles of rocks. They roost together in large colonies in large caves which they share with other microbat species. Smaller colonies roost together in smaller places. They hang separately from each other but small groups may huddle together in winter.

What they eat:
Beetles and other insects. They often return to their roost site after catching food to eat it.

Conservation threats:
Vulnerable to disturbance from human visitors to cave roosts, destruction of caves by mining, and loss of feeding habitat by clearing and land degradation from agriculture.

Other information:
Coastal sheathtail bats build up their body fat levels in autumn. They probably hibernate in winter. Pregnant females roost together.

Photo © GB Baker/Nature Focus