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Ashy roundleaf bat facts for kids

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Ashy roundleaf bat
Hipposideros cineraceus.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Hipposideros
Species:
cineraceus
Ashy Roundleaf Bat area.png
Ashy roundleaf bat range

The ashy roundleaf bat (Hipposideros cineraceus) is a small type of bat. It belongs to a group of bats called the Hipposideridae family. You can find this bat in many countries across Asia. These include Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

About the Ashy Roundleaf Bat's Name

This bat was first described as a new species in 1853. An English zoologist named Edward Blyth gave it its scientific name. The very first bat of this kind was found in Bhera, Pakistan.

Its species name, cineraceus, comes from a Latin word. This word means "ashen" or "ash-colored." Blyth chose this name because parts of the bat's fur looked "greyish-white."

What the Ashy Roundleaf Bat Looks Like

The ashy roundleaf bat is a very small bat. It usually weighs only about 4 to 5.5 grams. That's about as light as a few paper clips! Its forearm, which is part of its wing, is about 36 to 40.5 millimeters long.

This bat has a special feature on its face called a nose-leaf. This is a fleshy growth around its nose. It also has a small raised bump on the middle part of its nose.

Where the Ashy Roundleaf Bat Lives

The ashy roundleaf bat lives in many countries. You can find it in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. These areas include Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

These bats can live in different places. They have been found in areas from 62 meters (about 200 feet) up to 1,480 meters (about 4,850 feet) above sea level.

How the Ashy Roundleaf Bat Lives

During the day, these bats need a safe place to rest. They often sleep in sheltered spots. Caves are a common place for them to roost.

Protecting the Ashy Roundleaf Bat

As of 2019, experts have looked at the ashy roundleaf bat's numbers. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says it is a "least-concern species." This means that for now, there are enough of these bats in the wild. They are not currently at high risk of disappearing.

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