Insectivorous
like most microbats, whilst hunting at night it is highly
maneuverable, capable of negotiating thick foliage in pursuit
of flying insects. It will also hover over leaves to pick
off tree-living insects, or land on the ground to snatch a
morsel there. These bats usually hunt near the ground, but
can often be seen at night flying around street lights catching
insects. Prey is usually eaten 'on the wing'.
Mating usually occurs in May, and, as in
many other bats, delayed implantation occurs with pregnancy
not commencing until about July. Females give birth in November/December,
with twins being very common. The youngsters become independent
at three months old. Big old eucalypt hollows are preferred
for nursery colonies which usually number between 5 - 30 females.
Ecosystem importance: Insectivorous
bats have the ability to consume up to 40% of their body weight
in insects each night, thereby playing a major role as a nocturnal
predator of night flying insects. Cases overseas where large
numbers of insectivorous bats have been poisoned in caves
has resulted in insect plagues, with disastrous consequences
to crop production.
These bats like many species, will readily
take to artificial roost boxes. For plans and information
on building bat boxes click
here |
