Dark sheath-tailed bat

Emballonura semicaudata

The Emballonurini are a generic group of the bat family of Myotis bats free- tails ( Emballonuridae ). They comprise about 12 species in three genera Coleura, Emballonura and Mosiah.

These bats are common in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, New Guinea and numerous islands of the western and southern Pacific.

Description

Emballonurini are very small bats, they reach a body length of three to seven centimeters and a weight of 2.5 to 10 grams. Their snout is elongated and slightly curved upwards, a nose sheet does not exist. The short tail pop out from the tail wing membrane. Their fur is colored brown on the top, the underside is lighter. In contrast to most other species of Myotis bats free - tails they have no glands on the upper side of the wings.

Way of life

Emballonurini are primarily forest dwellers, although they are also found in other habitats, often near human. When resting places are next to caves and rock crevices and hollow trees and overhanging dikes. Of some sort, Coleura afra is known that she lives in large colonies ( up to 50,000 animals), other species form small groups (20 to 150 copies ). The food of these animals consists primarily of insects, occasionally they also take fruit to him.

Genera and species

• The genus Coleura include two types: Coleura afra occurs in many parts of Africa south of the Sahara and in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula and lives in large colonies, often of 50,000 animals. These colonies are divided into subgroups of 20 animals, consisting of a male, a harem of several females and their offspring.
• Coleura seychellensis is endemic to the Seychelles, where she was the only mammal besides the Seychelles flying fox until the arrival of man. The species is named one of IUCN to the one hundred most endangered animal species, it is estimated the population size to a mere 50 to 100 animals.