Semon's leafnosed-bat
Semon's leafnosed-bat
©Michael Mathieson 2003
Common name: Semon's leafnosed-bat
Scientific name: Hipposideros semoni
Animal group: Insectivorous bat
Conservation status: This species is listed as 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and is 'Endangered' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Distribution: Confirmed capture records for this species occur on Cape York from Iron Range National Park to the Cooktown area. The southern limit remains poorly known. An observation (without capture) reported to be H. semoni at Kroombit Tops remains unsupported by measurements, specimens, call recordings or photographs.
Description: A species of Hipposideros distinguished from others by long, narrow ears with acute points. Its previous common name, the greater wart-nosed horseshoe bat, refers to the club-shaped projections on its nose leaf, one in the middle and a smaller one on its posterior edge. These 'warts' are proportionately larger than in the northern leafnosed-bat. The fur is long and dark smoky grey, and continues onto the wing membrane close to the body and along the lower front edge of the ears. Body weight: 5.7-9.2g.
Habitat: The habitat used for foraging include rainforest and savannah woodland.
Behaviour: This species is n octurnal. Little is known of their hunting behaviour other than observations of low flight up to two metres above the ground, within vegetation and along narrow tracks.
Threatening processes: Known threats to this bat are roost destruction, an example being the destruction of a colony in a mine near Coen. It is suspected that roost disturbance and habitat destruction or alteration also affect this species.
Recovery actions:
- Protection of currently known roost sites from destruction or disturbance.
- Determine southern limit to distribution with predictive climatic models and targeted surveys.
Further information:
Duncan, A., Baker, G.B. and Montgomery, N. (Eds.). (1999) The Action Plan for Australian Bats. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Churchill, S. (1998) Australian bats. New Holland, Sydney.
Last updated: 31 August 2006