home ]
rates ]
activities ]
contact us ]
history ]
articles ]
bat species ]
gallery ]
Sundevall's
leaf-nosed bat
- HIPPOSIDEROS CAFFER
Sundevall's bat is small and fragile. Highly developed
echolocation abilities and broad wings - which allow agile
flight - enable Sundevall's leaf-nosed bat to hunt for insects
among dense bush.
This is a small, fragile bat, with a total length of 80
millimetres and a mass of 7-8 grams. The long, woolly fur ranges
in colour from off-white (in semi-desert regions) to
predominantly dark grayish-brown or sometimes a rich gold (in
temperate and tropical regions). The coloration of the abdomen
is normally the same as the back, but a lighter
shade.Sundevall’s leaf-nosed bat occurs widely in woodland
savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. In the subregion it is found in
northern Namibia, northern and southeastern Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Mozambique, the Northern Province, the North-West, Mpumalanga,
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. An isolated population has
been recorded at the Orange River mouth. It is a gregarious
species, found mostly by day in colonies ranging from just a few
individuals to several hundred, in the sanctuary of caves, rock
fissures, disused mine adits, culverts, hollow trees or the dark
interiors of deserted buildings. Like most cave dwellers, it is
very sensitive to high temperatures and low humidities, and
optimal environmental conditions of daytime roosts are of
critical importance to survival.Individuals emerge at dusk to
hunt for small insects on the wing. They possess keen
echolocation abilities, and are slow but very agile in
flight.Later at night small groups congregate in night roosts,
where they rest, groom and interact socially. Individuals
constantly arrive at and depart from the roost to forage for
more prey. Highly developed echolocation and flight abilities
enable these bats to effortlessly negotiate dense brush and
foliage in search of insect prey.The female gives birth to a
single young during the early summer months.
(Dr Naas Rautenbach)
© 2008 Arnhem Caves & Lodge. All
Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions apply.
Info:
Dr Naas Rautenbach; Publication: "The Complete Book of
Southern African Mammals" - by Gus Mills and Lex Hes;
Photos: Dr Naas Rautenbach, John Carlyon, National Parks Board,
N.H.G. Jacobsen, O. Wirminghaus, C.&T. Stuart,
Other Links
Located
at the junction of Botswana, Zambia, Angola and Zimbabwe, Camp
Kwando offers you hosting and activities in a beautiful and
unrecognized country, "Caprivi"
Design & Layout by: