Arnhem Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros inornatus

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Endangered

Listed since: 3/12/2015

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Vulnerable

Listed since: 9/07/2019

Population trend: Decreasing

Other names: None

Priority Species? No

The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.

Description

The Arnhem Leaf-nosed Bat has one of the most limited distributions of any Australian bat taxon and is known to occur only in the Kakadu escarpment and adjoining western edge of the Arnhem Land plateau. The Arnhem leaf-nosed bat roosts in cool, draughty areas in caves in rugged sandstone formations during the day, particularly where these are close to water. At night it forages in a range of vegetation types, including monsoon rainforests, riparian vegetation and eucalypt woodlands. The diet of related species mostly comprises large insects, including beetles, moths, cockroaches and locusts.

Threats

The main threat to the Arnhem Leaf-nosed Bat is disturbance or destruction of roost sites and changes in seasons from climate change could be influential on their diet.