Chocolate Wattled Bat

Scientific name: Chalinolobus morio
  • Updated
    03/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Chalinolobus morio Click to enlarge image
Bat, Chocolate Wattled AY-30891.tif Image: ALLAN YOUNG
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Chalinolobus
    Species
    morio
    Family
    Vespertilionidae
    Order
    Chiroptera
    Subclass
    Eutheria
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

Chocolate Wattled Bats living in southern Australia hibernate during winter.

Chalinolobus morio

Chocolate Wattle Bat, Chalinolobus morio, with its mouth open, vocalising.

Image: R & A Williams
© Australian Museum

Habitat

Chocolate Wattled Bats roost mainly in hollows in old trees, as well as disused birds' nests. They roost in caves in the Nullarbor area of South Australia. They roost together in colonies of 20 to a few hundred bats.

Distribution

Feeding and diet

Chocolate Wattled Bats feed mainly on small moths. They fly quite fast as they twist and turn while hunting for their prey.

Chalinolobus morio

Chocolate Wattled Bats roosting under roof

Image: Allan young
© Australian Museum

Conservation status

Chocolate Wattled Bats are vulnerable to loss of roost sites in tree hollows and loss of feeding grounds by forestry activities, clearing for agriculture and housing.