One of East Africa’s most distinctive and charming bat species, easily recognized by the heart-shaped noseleaf that gives it its name. Found mainly in Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and parts of Ethiopia, this medium-sized bat belongs to the false vampire bat family, known for their intricate facial structures and strong predatory habits. The Heart-nosed bat occupies a variety of dry habitats, including savannas, semi-arid grasslands, dry woodlands, and rocky outcrops, where insects are abundant and roosting sites are available.

The most striking feature of this bat is its prominent, heart-shaped noseleaf, a fleshy structure on the snout used to focus sound in echolocation. This unique noseleaf, which resembles a perfect little heart, gives the species an unmistakable appearance and makes it one of the most easily recognizable bats in its range. Its face is further accented by large, sensitive ears, a pointed muzzle, and pale brown fur that varies from sandy to grayish tones. The wings are broad and strong, allowing the bat to maneuver through trees and scrub while pursuing prey on the wing or pouncing onto the ground.

Unlike many small insectivorous bats that feed solely in flight, the Heart-nosed bat is an active ground hunter. It uses echolocation combined with excellent low-light vision to swoop down and capture prey, which includes beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, and even small vertebrates such as frogs or lizards. Its hunting style is exceptionally diverse—it may hawk insects mid-air, glean them from vegetation, or drop onto them from a perch. This versatility helps the species thrive in harsher environments with fluctuating food availability.

During the day, Heart-nosed bats roost in sheltered places such as abandoned buildings, tree hollows, caves, rock fissures, and old termite mounds. Their roosts are typically small social groups rather than large colonies, and individuals often return to the same roosting site for long periods.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Djibouti

2016

Eritrea

2016

Ethiopia

2016

Kenya

2016

Somalia

2016

South Sudan

2016

Sudan

2016

Tanzania

2016

Uganda

2016