Eastern Tube-nosed Bat

Introduction

Long, tubular nostrils, a short blunt snout, protruding eyes and yellow spots the on wings and ears.

Identification

A small to medium-sized fruit bat with long, tubular nostrils, a short blunt snout, protruding eyes and yellow spots the on wings and ears. The fur is grey-brown on the back and paler underneath. A narrow black stripe extends from the neck or mid-back to the rump. The tail is moderately long and the wings are short and broad.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, vine forest, tropical woodland and heathland.

Distribution

Found along the coast and ranges of eastern Australia from around Lismore in NSW north to Cape York, the Torres Strait islands and New Guinea.

Feeding and diet

Consumes a range of native and exotic fruits, nectar, flowers and pollen, and are important seed dispersers and pollinators.

Breeding behaviours

Primarily a rainforest species, it roosts either singly or in small groups amongst the foliage and is well camouflaged by its mottled wings. Roost sites are generally close to feeding areas and have been recorded in primary and secondary forest and mangroves. Mating occurs from July to September; a single young is born after a gestation period of 3-3.5 months. A distinctive high pitched call is often produced.

Conservation status

This species is moderately common in the northern part of the range, but is listed as vulnerable in NSW.