Tasmanian Microbats by Lisa Cawthen

A roost of juvenile lesser long-eared bats

Microbats are mostly insectivorous (all in tasmania are but on the mainland some species feed on fish, mammals, frogs). Others consume fruit, pollen and nectar, so there care is very different from Megabats.

For Tasmanian micro-bats, di-vetelact or wombaroo is recommended for un-weaned juveniles. As the juveniles are being weaned off milk a milk-insect (mealy worm) slurry can be introduced to their diet, then onto meal worms dipped in insectivore mix can be introduced. It’s good if mealworms can be fed on a high protein diet to enhance their nutritional value. Insects can be supplimented by ones caught by the carer as well.
Tasmania has nine species of micro bat, the Tasmanian Long-eared bat, Lesser Long-eared bat, Little forest Bat, Southern Forest Bat, Chocolate Wattled Bat, Goulds Wattled Bat, Eastern Falsistrelle and the recently found White Striped Free Tailed Bat, plus 1 endemic.Flying fox (Megabat) who sometimes visits the island but this is rare because Tasmania has no year round food source (fruit). 

 

Where can you find bats in Tasmania?

Bats can be seen throughout Tasmania, including from the top of Mount Wellington (high altitude) in the summer to salamanca esplanade (low altitude ) in the winter. It’s likely that there are more bats in the east than the west because conditions are more favourable, but to date, we know very little about bat populations throughout the state. Tasmanian bats are normally forest dwelling, meaning they use tree cavities rather than caves to sleep during the day. Some species come into urban areas to forage and may also be found roosting in man-made structures such as roof spaces, sheds and in wood piles. 

 

What do they eat?

Tasmanian bats eat insects including mosquitos, spiders, flies, moths and beetles so they are good animals to keep around.

 

How many young do they have?

Bats have one to two young per year. Females give birth between October and February each year. 

 

Do they hibernate?

Bats can be seen all year round in Tasmania, but are less active in winter. We still do not know whether they go into hibernation. Mainland studies suggest bats are likely to go into hibernation for weeks at a time and they arouse to forage.

Good places to see bats at sunset (Hobart region)

64 Anglesea St, South Hobart TAS 7004, Australia

Cascade rivulet track


Species profiles

Tasmanian long-eared bats

The Tasmanian long-eared bat, Nyctophilus sherrini,  is endemic to Tasmania, meaning it occurs nowhere else in the world. It is one of the least frequently encountered bats, rarely visiting urban areas. Until this study, there was not a lot known about this species. In January 2011, this project was the first to document this species roost requirements, where it was found in colonies of up to 50 individuals.

A lesser long-eared bat

The lesser long-eared bat, Nyctophilus geoffroyi, is widespread throughout Tasmania and can be found in urban, rural and native forest areas. It is smaller than the Tasmanian long-eared bat. In the summer these bats use cavities at the base of trees ( basal cavities ) where they form colonies of up to 50 individuals. 

A little forest bat

The little forest bat is Tasmania's smallest bat, and one of the smallest bats in the world. This bat can be found throughout Tasmania and is distinctive from other forest bats by its silver tipped fur on its belly and a white tragus (piece of skin in the ear).

A southern forest bat

The southern forest bat is similar in size to the large forest bat. It is the most commonly encountered bat in Tasmania. This species is often found in urban areas, roosting in buildings or sheds. It’s fur can vary from a reddish brown colour to dark brown.

A large forest bat

The large forest bat is Tasmania's largest forest (Vespadelus sp.) bat. In urban areas near bushland, it can be found roosting in buildings and sheds, sometimes with the Southern forest bat. It has uniform brown fur.

A chocolate wattled bat (By A. Mould))

Chocolate wattled bats occur throughout Tasmania. In the breeding season, females form some of the largest colonies documented in Tasmania - over 300 bats in a single tree cavity. It is uniform brown in colour and has been found roosting in small groups inside buildings.

Gould's wattled bat

The Gould's wattled bat is Tasmania's second largest bat and can be seen at dusk flying in clearings foraging for insects. This bat is crepescular in behaviour - meaning that it will come out before dark to forage. It can look similar to Chocolate wattled bats in appearance, but can be differentiated by a dark blackish/brown head and a wattle of skin extending from the ears to the lower lip.

An Eastern falsistrelle

The Eastern falsistrelle (aka false pipistrelle) is Tasmania's largest bat. It can be found between April and August in urban areas on the sides of building where it comes to roost. In the forest it roosts solitary or in small groups.