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Home > NZ ecology > Mammals > Long-tailed bat >

LONG-TAILED BAT

The long-tailed bat Chalinolobus tuberculatus, also known as the long-tailed wattled bat, is a member of the Vespertilionidae family, and is closely related to five species of lobe-lipped or wattled bats that are widely distributed throughout the southwest Pacific in Tasmania, Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea and Norfolk Island.

It is New Zealand's smallest bat with a weight of 8-11 grams, and is very different from the other two native bat species. Long-tailed bats arrived in New Zealand during the Pleistocene 1-2 million years ago, much later than the short-tailed bats. They came in the same direction, as a windblown migrant across the Tasman Sea.

Long-tailed bat, Gisborne, 1975.

As the more common New Zealand bat, the long-tailed is widely distributed. The North Island subspecies is found throughout the North Island and on Kapiti Island, and Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands. The South Island subspecies is in half of the mainland island and on Stewart Island.

Long-tailed bats are by no means prolific breeders as one would expect, producing only one pup a year.

Long-tailed bat Chalinolobus tuberculatus, Ngongotaha Hatchery, Rotorua, 1973

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A membrane is attached to the tail of the long-tailed bat, whereas the short-tailed bat's tail is shorter and free. The attached membrane is used to scoop insects in flight.

In contrast with poor flying, ground feeding short-tailed bats, the long-tailed bat is an aerial insectivore that eats mosquitos, moths, beetles and midges. It has a homing range of 100 sq.km and can reach speeds of up to 60 kph.

The greater distribution and number of long-tailed bats, compared to short-tailed, is an example of better survival of New Zealand's stronger flying animals, that are less reliant on ground habitation and less vulnerable to introduced predators.

Short-tailed and long-tailed bat roost locations studied in Fiordland were both found to be in large, old aged red beech trees with similar characteristics. Short-tailed bat roosts were significantly closer to the ground, with more entrances, and larger entrance and interior space dimensions. The roosts of both species were well insulated to maintain stable temperatures. The average number of 310 in the roosting group, and the roost occupation period of 6-7 days for short-tailed bats, were higher than long-tailed bats.

Chalinolobus tuberculatus is listed as 'vulnerable' on the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The North Island subspecies is 'nationally vulnerable', and the South Island subspecies is 'nationally endangered' in the New Zealand Threatened Species list.

Mammals

Short-tailed bat

Greater short-tailed bat

Photo Credit
Above: Long-tailed bat, J.L.Kendrick, 1973
Center left: Long-tailed bat, Dick Veitch, 1975
Left third from top: Takahe
Left fifth from top: Kokako
Left sixth from top:
Tusked weta
Left seventh from top:
Archey's frog
Crown Copyright © Department of Conservation
Left eight from top: Kauri, Alexander Turnbull Library
Illustration Credit
Left second from top:
John Gerrard Keulemans
1842-1912, Huia (male
and female) Heteralocha
acutirostris 1888
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand must be obtained before any re-use of these images.

Extinct birds

58 losses since human arrival

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birds list

273 oceanic,
coastal and
terrestrial birds

Flightless birds

Takahe Kiwi
Kakapo Penguin
Moa Wren

Parrots & Parakeets

Kea
Kaka
Kakapo
5 parakeets

Wattlebirds

Huia
Kokako
Saddleback

Gigantism in insects

Weta
Giant worms