The eastern tube-nosed bat, aka Queensland tube-nosed bat, is 1 of the few species of megabat that roosts alone. They get their common name from their raised tubular nostrils which are not like any of those of most other species in the same family. These bats are threatened by habitat loss and destruction at the hands of residential and commercial developments, farming, ranching, logging, wood harvesting, fires, and fire suppression; and climate change, that can bring about extreme temperatures and severe droughts. However, despite all this, these bats are abundant enough to be listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Their population trend is listed as unknown at this time.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Nyctimene robinsoni
Weight: Up to 1.98 ounce
Length: Up to 4.3 inches
Wingspan: Up to 19.5 inches
Lifespan: Up to 30 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Their ears measure up to .79 inch long.
2.) They vocalize while in flight, making a high pitched “seep” sound.
3.) These bats prefer to dwell among rainforests, woodlands, heathlands, and open forests.
4.) The eastern tube-nosed bat was first discovered and described by zoologist Oldfield Thomas in 1904.
5.) Food is found via sight and smell, rather than via echolocation, which is used by insectivorous bats.
But wait, there’s more on the eastern tube-nosed bat!
6.) Various fruits (primarily figs), flowers, nectar, and pollen are all readily consumed.
7.) Females undergo up to a 3.5 month gestation (pregnancy) that yields a single pup.
Did you know…?
These bats display signs of lunar phobia, as their body temperature is lowered to near-resting levels (torpor) during nights with a full moon.
8.) The pup is carried by the mother until it is large enough and old enough to tackle life on its own.
9.) Not only are they agile in flight, but they can also hover in place, while feeding, like that of a hummingbird.
10.) Their 2 nostrils are able to move independently from each other, and might be concentrating aromas and following odor plumes throughout the rainforest.
Now a Short Eastern Tube-Nosed Bat Video!
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
Photo credit: Reiner
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