Greater Asiatic yellow bat
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Genus
SPECIES
Scotophilus heathii

The greater Asiatic yellow bat (Scotophilus heathii ) is a species of vesper bat.

It is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Show More

Like many bats, females have delayed ovulation, with the ability to store sperm. This makes them particularly of interest to biologists. Studies have shown that seasonal changes in hormones allow them to deposit fat before the onset of winter.

It is named after Josiah Marshall Heath, who presented the type specimen to the Zoological Society of London.

Show Less

In Culture

Known as මහ කහ වවුලා (Maha kaha wawula meaning "greater yellow bat") in Sinhala.

Appearance

Head and body length is 8–9 cm. Forearms 6–7 cm. Wingspan 40 cm. Weight 48–52 g.

Show More

Adults are yellowish bronze brown above and bright yellow to reddish below. Wing membrane is blackish brown. Short and dense fur except on neck. Muzzle is blunt, naked, and dark. Tragus is crescent-shaped and separated from the posterior margin of the pinna by a conspicuous notch. Long tailed. Young are dark grayish brown.

Show Less

References

1. Greater Asiatic yellow bat Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Asiatic_yellow_bat
2. Greater Asiatic yellow bat on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20067/22031528

More Fascinating Animals to Learn About