South-western free-tailed bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South-western free-tailed bat |
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Ozimops kitcheneri, also known as the south-western free-tailed bat, is a small flying mammal. It lives in Southwest Australia. This bat flies around in forests and woodlands at night, looking for insects to eat.
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Discovering the Bat
Scientists officially described Ozimops kitcheneri as a new species in 2014. This happened after researchers McKenzie, Reardon, and Adams studied different groups of similar bats. They realized that this bat was unique and needed its own species name.
The scientists placed this bat in a group of related bats called Mormopterus (Ozimops). In 2015, the Australian Faunal Directory also recognized it as a full species.
How it Was Found
The very first bat of this species, called the holotype, was found near Balladonia, Western Australia. It was caught in a special net, called a mist net, placed over a dam. This male bat was then taken to the Western Australian Museum. Other bats, called paratypes, were also found at the same spot and in other areas like Jaurdi and Credo.
Naming the Bat
The name "kitcheneri" was chosen to honor Darrell Kitchener. He is a scientist who has done a lot of important work studying mammals, especially bats, in Australia and nearby areas.
What the Bat Looks Like
The Ozimops kitcheneri bat has a very flat skull. Its fur is dark and long. The fur on its back is grey-brown, and it's a little lighter on its belly. Its bare skin, like its nose and ears, is grey or pinkish.
This is a small bat. Its forearm (the main bone in its wing) is about 32.6 to 35.4 millimeters long. It weighs about 7.5 to 10.5 grams, which is about the same as a few paperclips!
Where the Bat Lives
This bat is only found in Western Australia, in the southwest part of the continent. It likes to live in dry forests, heathlands, and Mallee woodlands. You can find it in many parts of the semi-dry wheatbelt region. Sometimes, its home overlaps with another bat species, the Ozimops petersi.
Scientists don't know exactly how much space these bats use. A lot of their natural home has been changed or lost over time. Because there isn't much old information, it's hard to know if their numbers are going up or down. However, these bats are often seen in remaining bushland areas and even roosting (sleeping) in buildings in towns.
Bat's Daily Life
The Ozimops kitcheneri bat is endemic to Australia, meaning it's only found there. It is a nocturnal animal, which means it is active at night. During the day, it sleeps in safe, sheltered places like hollow trees or human-made structures.
This bat hunts for insects in open or semi-open woodlands. It prefers areas where the air is clear, making it easier to fly and catch prey. The places where it lives can be wet or semi-dry. This bat has been found living in the same areas as the Mormopterus petersi in the Coolgardie and Avon regions.
Like the Austronomus australis, the Ozimops kitcheneri bat often flies above the tops of trees in forests and woodlands when it hunts.
Protecting the Bat
As of 2020, the Ozimops kitcheneri bat is listed as a least-concern species by the IUCN. This means that scientists believe it is not currently at high risk of disappearing.
It has this classification for a few reasons:
- It lives in a wide area.
- It can live in different types of habitats.
- Some of its homes are in protected areas.
- Scientists often see it during surveys.
Its population is estimated to be around 35,000 bats, but this number might actually be higher.
