African Bat Conservation Species Guide to Bats of Malawi P a g e | 1

Hipposideridae Trident and leaf- nosed bats

Hipposideros caffer Sundevall’s leaf-nosed bat

Genus: Hipposideros Family: Hipposideridae

Description Hipposideros caffer is a small bat with a distinctive nose-leaf; a feature shared with other members of the genus. The pelage is variable in colour, but is normally brown on the back and head, while the underparts are slightly lighter. The wings are dark grey. The ears are small and rounded with pointed tips. The sexes are alike. Distribution It is widely distributed throughout southern Africa, however is absent from much of the southern and central parts of the region. It occurs from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu–Natal through Swaziland and northern Africa, to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, DRC and marginally in northern Botswana. Habitat This species is closely tied to savannah woodland, where it is closely associated with riparian location. It appears to forage in and around thickets and well-developed undergrowth vegetation, avoiding open areas. Ecology Diet Its diet consists predominantly of Lepidoptera, with smaller quantities of Trichoptera and Coleoptera. H. caffer are capable of both aerial feeding and gleaning. Reproduction Copulation and fertilization occur in April, followed by retarded development during the cool winter months until September, after which normal development resumes. The young are born in early December and typically lactate for 60 days. Roosting behaviour Hipposideros caffer roosts in a wide range of caves, sink-holes and cavities, including anthropogenic ones such as mines and culverts. Colonies vary in size from less than a dozen to hundreds of individuals. Males may roost solitary. Roosts are commonly shared with other species. Status Least concern African Bat Conservation Species Guide to Bats of Malawi P a g e | 2

Hipposideros gigas Giant leaf-nosed bat

Genus: Hipposideros Family: Hipposideridae

Description Hipposideros gigas is a very large leaf-nosed bat: the mass of an adult male can exceed 200g. The colour and thickness of the fur differs markedly between the sexes in this species. The fur is longest in females, in which it varies from cream to a rich fulvous colour on the back, neck and head. The ears are small and rounded with pointed tips. Distribution It occurs in equatorial Africa, West Africa and the central Congo basin Ecology Diet No information on diet or foraging is available for southern Africa. Reproduction The seasonal events of copulations and parturition in H. gigas are confined within large caves, on which these large bats are entirely dependent to raise the single young. Roosting behaviour There is no information available on roosting behaviour.

Status Near threatened

Triaenops persicus Persian trident bat

Genus: Triaenops Family: Hipposideridae

Description Triaenops persicus is a small bat with a variable pelage, ranging from pale sandy-brown to deep chestnut. It is distinguished by its three- pronged noseleaf, a feature shared with the far smaller Cloeotis percivali. The wings are rounded and dark grey-brown coloured, the ears are small and rounded. The sexes are alike. African Bat Conservation Species Guide to Bats of Malawi P a g e | 3

Distribution Triaenops persicus is widely distributed along the East African coast from Arabia. It is widespread in central and northern Mozambique, extending very marginally into Zimbabwe and Zambia. This species is present in southern Malawi. Habitat Its habitat preferences are not exactly known but it has predominantly been collected from riparian locations. Triaenops persicus may in fact be associated with well-wooded vegetation. Ecology Diet Triaenops persicus is a clutter forager and its diet consists predominantly of Lepidoptera. Reproduction No reproductive information is available for southern Africa. Roosting behaviour Little is known about its roosting requirements. Presumably, it roosts in a variety of shelters, including caves and hollow tree trunks. Status Least concern

Reference Monadjem. A, T. P. (2010). Bats of Southern and Central Africa: A Biogeographic and Taxonomic Synthesis. Witts University Press.