SANParks.org Forums

this thread is for bat ID's only. if you have a pic of a Bat then please post it here so we can hlp you ID it. if you do not have a pic of a bat get one off the internet and post it here and we will see who can Id it first.

Rules: the pic must be of a southern african bat.


do not hesitate to post pics as i am sure all the forum members want to learn more about the wildlife. one a bat is ID i will give you the backround of that species, example: size, habitat, food, distrabution etc.



all the best
Batmad

Cool idea! I'll start?

Taken in Pretoriuskop rest camp.

Little Free Tailed Bat (Chaerephon pumilus)


This is one of the most common bats in the park and is often found in the thatch roofs of the various camps. If you had to turn that bat around you will see a white line of fur on the side of the stomach, a clear characteristic of this species.

Food: Various assortments of Insects

Habits: A very gregorious bat found in large colonies in crevices, bridges or roofs. They are kown for their pungent smell when they roost in big colonies, a characteristic of Free Tailed roosts.

And on the stoep in Pretoriuskop!
Thanx for the info, Batmad! I'm off the search for more pix!

anybody else wanting to post more pics? i promise next time to give people a chance before IDing the bat myself.

What about this cutie, Batmad?

walhbergs Eppulated Fruit Bat (epomophrus walhbergi)

i am busy studying these bats at the moment, they are truly stunning. ok, the fruit bat order (petropodidae) consists of 9 members. walhbergs one of them. fruit bats have a very distinct muzzle almost like a dog. there big beady eyes help them look for fruit. fruit bats do not have echolocation besides one species (Rousetes agyptiaca) egyption fruit bat, this species does not really use its echolocation a lot as it has big eyes.


Walhbergs Eppulated Fruit Bat


habitat: riverine forest and bushveld

habits: gregorious, sometimes roosting in colonies sometimes by themselves.


Food: fruit and the nector of some flowers.
they give birth throughout the year.

day roost: tall trees with cover, but occasionally under the thatch of houses.

ps. sciantific names might not be spelled propaley


reproduction: one maybe two pups at a time,

Thanks, batmad. Such a pretty little bat, in the tree right outside our hut at Lower Sabie. She only had one pup, cradled in her wing (as you can see in the photo).

One cannot exclude Peter's Eppulated Fruit Bat.

yes i know. I am not to sure if peters eppulated fruit bats name has changed to another name. I have a friend high up in the Bat world and i am still waiting for a reply about this question. If this is the name of the bat i have not studied it or worked with it the only place this bat has been mentiond is in mammals of southern africa by Chris an Tilde Stewart. In bats of southern africa By Peter Taylor he did not mention this species. Is anyone sure that its name has not changed to egyption fruit bat or gambian eppulated fruit bat.


all the best Batmad

I see we have had this discussion before over here.

aha! i have studdied this bat amd measured its skulls and skeleton and have read a article done by peter taylor about these bats. there is another way to ID this bat.....


peters eppulated fruit bat has a more slender skull than walhbergs. and you can tell these two species apart buy there call aswell.

any more Bat ID's?

here is some info on bats..........

there are two different groups of bats, megachiroptera and microchiroptera. megachiroptera is fruit bats and microchiroptera is micro bats or insect eating bats. there are many myths about bats that are absoulutly not true! some of them are...... bats purposley attack you or bats nibble your ear at night. these are not true! if you have any questions about bats or myths that you would like to share then post them on this thread, please also if you have any ID's you need carry on posting them!
in southern africa there are 75 different types of bats.


more info will be posted later on.

all the best batmad

Hi Batmad

I know what these are I just thought I'd share the pic with you! They are fruit bats and I found them in Skukuza under the thatch roofs outside the cafiteria. Saw them the first time 26-27 April and again 14-15 June!

Enjoy!