Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
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Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Hipposideridae
Species : Hipposideros cervinus
Forearm Length : up to 5 cm
Weight : up to 10 grams
The Fawn Roundleaf Bat, or
Common Leaf-nosed Bat, is a small, insectivorous bat of widespread occurrence. It
is found in a range of habitats including dense
forest, open woodlands, plantations and gardens.
In Borneo this species is considered to be the most common and
widespread insectivorous bat in the island's caves, where numbers can exceed
100,000 in a single roost. However, it also roosts away from caves, possibly
beneath man-made structures. It is able to fly very low to the ground whilst
hunting for insect prey.
The images shown here were taken at Lambir Hills, Sarawak, Borneo: following a
brief shower of rain the bats were found foraging for small insects close to a brightly
lit building at the edge of the forest. At times the bats would fly within
one metre of the observer.
The fur of this species is bicoloured: the base of each hair is typically
pale but the end portion is highly variable in colour, ranging from fawn to bright
orange to grey. Its noseleaf is pink, and there are two lateral leaflets
(see Fig. 4). Its ears are relatively large, and are somewhat pointed at the
tip.
Hipposideros cervinus ranges from Peninsular
Malaysia to Sumatra, Java, Borneo, the Philippines, eastern Indonesia, New
Guinea, Australia and some islands of the western Pacific. In Singapore its status is considered
to be indeterminate.
Figs 1 and 2 : Fawn specimens in full flight around one hour after darkness
: the bats were searching for small insects attracted to the external lights
of a small building at the forest edge. Seen at Lambir Hills, Sarawak,
Borneo.
Fig 3 : View of Lambir Hills, Sarawak. This protected area still supports
one of the most diverse flora in the world.
Fig 4 : Close-up of the noseleaf, showing the two lateral leaflets. Photo
thanks to Noel Thomas.
Fig 5 : Orange-brown example from Lambir Hills with wings outstretched.
References : M2, M4, M5, M6
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