Little free-tailed bat
A species of Old world free-tail bats Scientific name : Chaerephon pumilus Genus : Old world free-tail bats
Little free-tailed bat, A species of Old world free-tail bats
Scientific name: Chaerephon pumilus
Genus: Old world free-tail bats
Content
Description General Info
Description
The little free-tailed bat is one of the smallest species in the genus Chaerephon, and a total body length is measured from 54 to 102 mm. The ventral fur has lighter color than the dorsal fur, which is short and blackish-brown. Pale or white hairs are observed on the ventral surface where wings are connected to flanks, and both white-winged (north-eastern African species) and dark-winged (southern African species) types have been found. This species has round ears that are large for its head size. The small tragus of its ear, which is asymmetrically bilobed at the end, is covered by the large antitragus. A distinguishable forehead tuft is observed in males and it makes their outline recognizable during flight. This species shows great morphological variations in wing and pelage colors resulted in different taxonomic designations depending on its distributional ranges. To illustrate, the little free-tailed bat population found in Amani, Tanzania, has a longer forearm length on average than populations in southern Africa and Ghana and a higher wing loading than populations in South Africa. 
General Info
Lifespan
5-7 years
Diet
Little free-tailed bat primarily feeds on night-flying insects, especially dipterans and beetles. It hunts these airborne prey using echolocation, showing preference for high-altitude swarms, while occasionally consuming other soft-bodied insects.
Appearance
Little free-tailed bat is a small, sleek bat species with a distinctive jet-black fur. Its body shape is streamlined for superior flight capabilities, including long, thin wings and a short, but strong, tail. Females tend to be slightly larger than males. The little free-tailed bat's most notable feature is its large ears, which aid in its echolocation skills.
Behavior
Little free-tailed bat is a nocturnal, insectivorous species, known for its spectacle flights and feeding highest above the ground compared to other bat species. It displays a gregarious nature, forming large maternity colonies in hollow trees or buildings, and frequently communally roosting. Little free-tailed bat also exhibits seasonal migrations linked to food availability and breeding.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Bats Family
Free-tailed bat Genus
Old world free-tail bats Species
Little free-tailed bat 
AI animal expert in your pocket
Scan QR code to download
