Vespedalus darlingtoni Click to enlarge image
Bat, Large Forest RAW-26860.tif Image: R & A Williams
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

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

Introduction

Large Forest Bats are restricted to montane areas above 300 metres in the north of their range and lower altitudes in southern parts of range. In Tasmania they are found at sea level.

Habitat

Large Forest Bats live in forests, eucalypt forests, subalpine woodland to alpine moors. Colonies of up to 60 may roost in hollows in old eucalypts in southern New South Wales and Tasmania. Smaller colonies sometimes roost in buildings.

Distribution



Feeding and diet

Large Forest Bats eat moths, beetles, flies, bugs, lacewings, termites, ants and spiders.

Conservation status

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