Mauritian tomb bat

Has one of the most striking appearances of any African bat

Frank Vassen


Mauritian tomb bat

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Has one of the most striking appearances of any African bat

Population

Despite its name, it’s not limited to Mauritius; in fact, this species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Madagascar, though it was first described from the island of Mauritius in the early 19th century. Belonging to the sheathtail bat family (Emballonuridae), the Mauritian tomb bat is a master of aerial hunting, known for its ghostly white fur, gentle chirping calls, and eerie habit of roosting on building walls and tree trunks in plain sight during the day. With its calm, curious demeanor and distinctive appearance, it stands out as one of the most charismatic bats on the continent.

Physically, the Mauritian tomb bat is a medium-sized insectivorous bat. Its fur is soft and short, ranging in color from silvery white to pale gray, giving it a ghostly appearance as it glides through the dusk. The wings are broad and long, built for fast, agile flight, and the face is pointed with a gentle expression. The name “tomb bat” comes from their tendency to roost on walls, cliffs, or even tombstones, pressed flat against the surface with their wings folded neatly alongside their bodies—perfectly camouflaged against pale stone. Unlike most bats that cling upside down in caves, the Mauritian tomb bat often rests upright or at an angle, blending into its surroundings so well that even experienced observers can walk right past without noticing it.

The Mauritian tomb bat is a creature of both adaptability and grace. It is nocturnal, emerging at dusk to hunt flying insects such as moths, beetles, and termites. Using echolocation clicks that are mostly above human hearing range, it can detect and snatch prey in total darkness. It hunts in open spaces rather than under forest canopies, performing swift, gliding maneuvers over rivers, grasslands, and even urban areas.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Angola
2016
Benin
2016
Botswana
2016
Burundi
2016
Presence Uncertain
Cameroon
2016
Central Af. Rep.
2016
Chad
2016
Comoros
2016
Congo-Brazzaville
2016
Côte D’ivoire
2016
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
2016
Equatorial Guinea
2016
Annobón, Bioko
Eswatini
2016
Ethiopia
2016
Gabon
2016
Gambia
2016
Ghana
2016
Guinea-Bissau
2016
Presence Uncertain
Guinea
2016
Presence Uncertain
Kenya
2016
Liberia
2016
Presence Uncertain
Madagascar
2016
Malawi
2016
Mali
2016
Presence Uncertain
Mauritania
2016
Presence Uncertain
Mauritius
2016
Mozambique
2016
Namibia
2016
Nigeria
2016
Rwanda
2016
Presence Uncertain
Réunion
2016
Senegal
2016
Seychelles
2016
Aldabra
Sierra Leone
2016
Somalia
2016
South Africa
2016
Sudan
2016
São Tomé & Príncipe
2016
Tanzania
2016
Togo
2016
Uganda
2016
Zambia
2016
Zimbabwe
2016

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Colony

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No