Rhinolophus sedulus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lesser woolly horseshoe bat |
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| Conservation status | |
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Rhinolophus
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| Species: |
sedulus
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| Rhinolophus sedulus range | |
The lesser woolly horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus sedulus) is a small, furry bat. It lives in parts of Southeast Asia, like Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This bat is special because of its unique nose shape, which looks a bit like a horseshoe! Scientists are keeping an eye on it because it's considered near-threatened. This means it could be in danger if we don't protect its home.
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Discovering the Lesser Woolly Horseshoe Bat
A scientist named Knud Andersen first described this bat in 1905. He was a mammalogist, which is someone who studies mammals. The lesser woolly horseshoe bat belongs to a group of bats called the trifoliatus species group. This group includes other bats that share similar features.
What Does It Look Like?
This bat is quite small. It has long, soft, and dark fur that looks a bit blackish. Its nose is very interesting! It has a dark, complex noseleaf with a pointed part called a lancet. This lancet is located between its eyes. It also has two small flaps, called lappets, on either side of its sella (the middle part of its noseleaf).
The lesser woolly horseshoe bat also has large ears that point forward. It weighs up to 11 g (0.39 oz). Its forearm, which is a key measurement for bats, is about 38–48 mm (1.5–1.9 in) long.
Bat Life and Habits
Scientists believe that these bats are mostly monogamous. This means that a male and female bat might stay together as a pair for mating.
Where the Bat Lives
You can find the lesser woolly horseshoe bat in places like Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Scientists also think it might live in Singapore. These bats prefer to live in lowland primary forests. Primary forests are old, untouched forests.
These bats like to roost, or rest, in different places. They might sleep alone or in pairs. Their favorite spots include caves and hollows inside trees. Sometimes, they even use man-made places like culverts, which are tunnels that carry water under roads.
Protecting the Lesser Woolly Horseshoe Bat
The lesser woolly horseshoe bat is listed as near-threatened. This means it's not in immediate danger of disappearing, but it could be if things don't change. The biggest problem for these bats is losing their homes.
Forests are being cut down for logging, farming, and plantations. Forest fires also destroy their habitat. When their homes are lost, the bats have fewer places to live and find food. Protecting these forests is very important to help the lesser woolly horseshoe bat survive.
