Foraging behaviour of the giant leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros commersoni)

Abstract

Observations of the giant leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros commersoni) were made in southern Kenya, East Africa. This bat was present in the study area only in March and early April, at the beginning of the March to May rains, and during the November and December rains. Only females were recorded. Food was large beetles of the families Cerambycidae, Elateridae, Scarabeidae and Chrysomelidae. The bats foraged chiefly in riverine vegetation, where they typically used vantage points some 6 m above the ground in acacia trees. Detection of prey at long range from a vantage point, the selection of large prey, precise assessment of the distance and trajectory of the prey, and interception of prey by brief and direct flights tend to optimize the energy return/ unit of time during foraging. The echolocation signals in relation to foraging style are considered.