Species of the Day: Eastern Sucker-Footed Bat

Species of the Day: Eastern Sucker-footed Bat

The Eastern Sucker-footed Bat, Myzopoda aurita, is listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. It has suckers on its wrists and hands which work by wet adhesion and give the bat its name. The Eastern Sucker-footed Bat is one of only two species of bat endemic to Madagascar. Until 2008, this species was listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. However, following the discovery of a population in the south-east of the country in 2008, it was down-listed to ‘Least Concern’. Geographical range www.iucnredlist.org Up to 50 individuals roost in the partially unfurled central leaf of the Traveller’s Tree, Ravenala www.batconservancy.org madagascariensis, but they move roosts every few days as the leaf unfurls. Unlike most Help Save Species mammals endemic to Madagascar, the Eastern Sucker-footed Bat is not threatened by www.arkive.org deforestation, although harvesting of Ravenala leaves for building materials may cause the loss of roosts.

Only a few protected areas occur within the range of this species, including Parc National de Marojejy and Tampolo littoral forest. Additional studies are needed to increase understanding of local population densities and precise habitat requirements.

The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: Species of the Day IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife is sponsored by International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.