Gould's Wattled Bat
Click to enlarge image
© Ross Sadlier
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Chalinolobus
- Species
- gouldii
- Family
- Vespertilionidae
- Order
- Chiroptera
- Subclass
- Eutheria
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Introduction
In northern regions Gould's Wattled Bats are active all year round.
Habitat
Gould's Wattled Bats roost in hollows in old trees, occasionally in ceilings or basements of buildings. They roost together in colonies of around 30 bats, sometimes smaller and other times larger.
Distribution
Feeding and diet
Gould's Wattled Bat feed on a variety of insects, including scarab beetles, caterpillars, crickets and moths,depending on the time of year.
Life history cycle
In southern areas Gould's Wattled Bats hibernate during the winter. Females often have twin babies and give birth at different times depending on where they live.
Economic impacts
Gould's Wattled Bats are vulnerable to loss of roost sites in tree hollows and loss of feeding grounds by forestry activities, clearing for agriculture and housing.
A Gould Wattled Bat, Chalinolobus gouldii measuring less than 1cm in length
Image: -© Australian Museum
