A rare and fascinating species found only in the Seychelles, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. This small bat is known for its distinctive “sheath-tailed” feature, where part of its tail is enclosed in a sheath formed by the tail membrane. This unique tail structure, along with its small size and agile flight, makes the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat an interesting creature to study and observe.

These bats are tiny, with dark brown or black fur, which helps them blend into their nighttime surroundings. The Seychelles sheath-tailed bat has large ears and small eyes, which are typical features of many bats that rely on echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark. Echolocation is a technique where the bat emits high-pitched sounds that bounce off objects and return to the bat, helping it “see” its environment and locate prey even in complete darkness.

The Seychelles sheath-tailed bat is insectivorous, meaning it feeds primarily on insects. It hunts for its prey at night, using its echolocation abilities to find and catch small insects in flight. These bats are incredibly agile, making quick turns and maneuvers in the air to catch their prey. This makes them highly effective hunters, despite their small size. During the day, they roost in caves, rock crevices, or in the foliage of trees, staying hidden from predators and the hot tropical sun.

One of the most concerning aspects of the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat is its critically endangered status. There are only a few known colonies left, and their numbers have declined drastically due to habitat loss, disturbance from human activities, and the introduction of predators like rats and cats. The bats’ roosting sites are often disturbed by human activity, which has led to the destruction of some of their critical habitats.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Seychelles

<100

Official estimate

CR

2016