Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat

Averaging just 10 to 11 grams, the Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat is a small, nocturnal insectivore. These bats measure between 55 and 65 mm in length and can live for 20 years. They possess specialized ears and vocalizations that allow them to use echolocation, creating a mental map of their surroundings to navigate and hunt. By emitting sound waves and receiving the echoes, they can locate flying insects or communicate with other members of their colony. Their calls vary in speed and frequency depending on whether they are searching for prey or flying through complex terrain.

Historically, these bats were found across many parts of the archipelago, but they are now extinct on most islands. Small groups still persist on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, though the largest remaining roost is located on Silhouette Island. They typically live in communal colonies within caves or houses, often hiding in the cracks and crevices of mountain slopes. In these rocky shelters, they frequently tuck themselves behind the large fronds of native palms. While they have been seen feeding in marshes or coastal areas, they are primarily associated with small forest clearings.

Despite having a high reproductive potential, the Seychelles Sheath-tailed Bat is extremely sensitive to disturbance and requires multiple healthy roosting sites to survive. Their numbers have dropped significantly, with fewer than 100 individuals thought to remain globally. This decline is largely driven by land development and the arrival of invasive species. Specifically, the growth of coconut plantations and the spread of the kudzu vine have damaged their natural habitat, reducing the availability of the scrub and the insects they need for food.