Bare-rumped sheathtail-bat
Common name: Bare-rumped sheathtail-bat
Scientific name: Saccolaimus saccolaimus nudicluniatus
Legislative name: Saccolaimus saccolaimus
Animal group: Insectivorous bat
Conservation status: This species is listed as 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and is 'Critically Endangered' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Distribution: Occurs in two distinct populations, one in coastal Queensland from around Townsville to near Coen, and another in the top end of the Northern Territory. Also occurs in New Guinea.
Description: A large sheath-tailed bat. Its common name refers to the lack of fur on the lower part of its back beyond the hips. The dorsal fur is dense and silky and is coloured red brown to dark brown or black with small white patches. It has sparse fur on its face, forearms, inner surface of ears, upper surface of tail membrane, and wing membranes between the forearm and the legs. They do not possess the wing pouch that several other sheathtail bats have, but they do have a throat pouch, which is well developed in males and rudimentary in females.
Habitat: Open woodlands, particularly poplar gum woodland, and tall open forest. In Northern Territory, it occurs in Darwin woollybutt forest.
Behaviour: Nocturnally active. This species crawls away rapidly when disturbed rather than taking flight. It is a fast and highly manoeuvrable flier. They begin foraging in the early evening, taking flight by dropping for around three metres to gain speed before opening their wings.
Threatening processes: Habitat destruction and alteration.
Recovery actions:
- Intensive survey at known localities are required, followed by surveys to determine the distributional limits of the Northern Territory and Queensland populations.
- Carry out ecological research to determine habitat requirements, roost and maternity site selection, threatening processes and whether populations of this species are viable.
Further information:
Duncan, A., Baker, G.B. and Montgomery, N. (Eds.). (1999) The Action Plan for Australian Bats. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Schulz, M. 2006. Draft National Recovery Plan for the Bare-rumped sheathtail bat Saccolaimus saccolaimus 2007-2011. Report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Brisbane.
Last updated: 01 September 2006