Tag: leaf-nosed bats
Bat Colours
by Bruce on May.21, 2009, under Bats, Wildlife
Here are some portraits of one of our north Queensland leaf-nosed bat species, Hipposideros cervinus. Yes, they are two different individuals and no, I didn’t mess with the colours in PhotoShop! These are the actual colours.
Bats that live in cave and mine roost sites with a high ammonia content in the atmosphere, often have their fur bleached a beautiful orange, as in this first bat. The ammonia is produced by the anerobic breakdown of the bat guano and so it’s not uncommon in roost sites with poor air flow which tends to trap the ammonia. Bats seem to be able to survive in this high ammonia atmosphere because they go into torpor (a slowing of the metabolism and ouward appearance of being asleep) and this causes a buildup of CO2 in the blood which buffers the effects of the ammonia. When they become active and fly out, the ammonia is expelled with the CO2.
I should also mention that photographs like these are not possible unless the bats are caught and this is illegal unless you have a permit from the relevant State’s Parks and Wildlife Service. These animals are my particular research speciality and so I have permits etc.
