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Eastern False Pipistrelle
Falsistrellus tasmaniensis
Conservation Status
Vulnerable species in New South Wales (Threatened Species Conservation Act).
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What does it look like?It is relatively large with a head-body length of about 65mm. It weighs up to 28 grams. It is dark to reddish-brown above and paler grey on its underside. It has long slender ears set well back on the head and some sparse hair on the nose. (from DEC NSW Threatened Species Profile) |
Where does it live?
They range from southern Queensland to Victoria and throughout Tasmania. In Pittwater they were recorded in five reserves during a bat survey in 1996. The Eastern False Pipistrelle appears to prefer sclerophyll forests with tall trees on the mainland and wet sclerophyll forests and coastal mallee in Tasmania.
What do they eat and what is their cycle?
This species has been found to consume moths, rove beetles, chafers, weevils, plant bugs, flies and ants. They mostly stay near the tree canopy however they may be capable of flying relatively large distances in search of food, with one individual known to commute 12km between its roost and foraging site.
They are essentially a hollow roosting species, however records show roosting can take place in caves and timber buildings as well as under loose bark on tree trunks. The bats hibernate during winter, mating in late spring with young born in December and weaned during February.
Updated: 20 Jul 2011
Related Links
- Eastern False Pipistrelle - DEC NSW Threatened Species Profile