Encyclopedia of Life · EOL (see source)
Species
VulnerableMaximum longevity: 22.6 years (captivity) Observations: One captive specimen lived for 22.6 years (Richard Weigl 2005).
via IUCN
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 150
- Image
- Ghost bat infrared Perth zoo.jpg
Show 5 more facts
- taxon name
- Macroderma gigas
- Commons category
- Macroderma gigas
- taxon common name
- Australische Gespenstfledermaus
- longest observed lifespan
- 22.6
- taxon author citation
- (Dobson, 1880)
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
~21 min read
Article
The ghost bat (Macroderma gigas) is a species of bat found in northern Australia. It is the only Australian bat that preys on large vertebrates – birds, reptiles and other mammals – which they detect using acute sight and hearing, combined with echolocation, while waiting in ambush at a perch. The wing membrane and bare skin is pale in colour, their fur is light or dark grey over the back and paler at the front. The species has a prominent and simple nose-leaf, with large elongated ears that are joined at the lower half, sharp teeth for attacking prey and large dark eyes. The first description of the species was published in 1880, since when its recorded range has significantly contracted.
Taxonomy