Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat

Rhinonicteris aurantia (Pilbara form)

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Vulnerable

Listed since: 10/03/2016

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Least Concern

Listed since: 31/07/2016

Population trend: Unknown

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 Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat is a small insectivorous bat that occurs throughout the Pilbara and upper Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. The species relies on underground roosts supporting warm, high humidity microclimates. Only relatively deep, complex caves and disused underground mines contain such conditions which relatively uncommon.

Threats

The main threat is the loss or disturbance to roosts which are critical to the survival of the Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat. Also and loss, disturbance or access to suitable foraging habitat within its nightly flight range will play a major part in the survival of this species.