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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless credited to others.
Copyright © Ecology Asia 2025

 
     
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

   
   
 
Ashy Roundleaf Bat 
-  Hipposideros cineraceus
   
   

Fig 1
   
Fig 2
 


Fig 3
 

Fig 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Hipposideridae
Species : Hipposideros cineraceus

Forearm Length : up to 4.2 cm
Weight : up to 5.5 grams

Hipposideros cineraceus (Ashy Roundleaf Bat, Least Leaf-nosed Bat) occurs widely in the Southeast Asia region, although bats designated as Hipposideros cineraceus may include at least two separate species.

These bats inhabit a variety of lowland forest types (including mangrove), and appear capable of adapting to a fair degree of habitat modification. They roost in caves, tree hollows and man-made structures including culverts. The highest elevation record is at 1480 metres.

The upper fur colour is described as "buffy-brown to greyish brown (or dark brown)" and its underparts "pale brown to buffy white". The Singapore population appears more orange-brown. The noseleaf is pink, and lacks lateral leaflets. The ears are relatively large, rounded and have a pointed tip.

This species occurs in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia,  Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo. Outside the Southeast Asia region it is known from parts of Pakistan, India, Nepal and China.

In Singapore, roosts of this species were first located by Mr. Noel Thomas on the island of Pulau Ubin in 2016-2017.


Figs 1 and 2 : Images of an example from the island of Pulau Ubin, Singapore known to occupy a subterranean roost in an abandoned structure.

Fig 3 : Regenerating lowland forest on Pulau Ubin, Singapore; the island supports a small population of Hipposideros cineraceus.

Fig 4 : Probable Hipposideros cineraceus from degraded lowland forest edge near Ipoh, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. A constant frequency (CF) call of 144.5 kHz was detected nearby.


References :

Douangboubpha , B., Srinivasulu, B. & Srinivasulu, C. 2019. Hipposideros cineraceus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T10119A2209310

Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second Edition.  New Holland. 416 pp.

Kingston, T., Lim B.L., Zubaid, A., 2006. Bats of Krau Wildlife Reserve. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.


Links :

Straits Times, Singapore:
'Bat man has a secret mission on Pulau Ubin'