Gould's Long-eared Bat

Family: Vespertilionidae
Scientific name: Nyctophilus gouldi

Where they roost:
Hollows in old trees in eucalypts but sometimes in buildings. Up to 25 bats may live together in a colony. Individuals can sometimes be found under the bark of trees and in old nests of birds such as fairy martens.

What they eat:
Gould's long-eared bats fly close to the ground when hunting and catch flying insects and also snatch non-flying insects off the ground or leaves. They usually eat their prey as they fly.

Conservation threats:
Vulnerable to loss of tree hollows and loss of feeding grounds by forestry activities, clearing for agriculture and housing.

Other information:
The ears of these bats fold down when they are resting. They only breed once a year and usually give birth to twins in early summer. Because these bats hunt low to the ground, they can be caught by cats hunting at night.

Photo © BG Thompson