Hoary Wattled Bat - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Chalinolobus nigrogriseus

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 24 Mar 2020

Description

The Hoary Wattled Bat is a small sooty-coloured bat with light silvery-white tipped hairs of variable lenght. Sometimes it is paler below. There is a small lobe of skin, or wattle, between the ears and mouth. The head and body length is between 45 and 55 mm long with a tail between 35 and 42 mm long. This bat is typically observed flying about at dusk, leaving its roost site before other bat species have emerged.

Distribution

Widely distributed across northern Australia although absent from the arid centre. In north east NSW it extends from Port Macquarie in the south, north to the Queensland border. The species has been recorded as far west as Armidale and Ashford.

Habitat and ecology

In NSW the Hoary Wattled Bat occurs in dry open eucalypt forests, favouring forests dominated by Spotted Gum, boxes and ironbarks, and heathy coastal forests where Red Bloodwood and Scribbly Gum are common. Because it flies fast below the canopy level, forests with naturally sparse understorey layers may provide the best habitat.
Roosts in hollows and rock crevices.
Will occupy urban areas with suitable habitat.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of dry forest and woodland habitat through clearing for agriculture and development.
Loss of tree hollows for roosting and maternity sites from forest management favouring younger stands of trees.
Loss of hollow-bearing trees used for roosting and maternity sites as a result of too-frequent burning for grazing and forestry management activities.
Pesticides on insects and in water consumed by bats bio accumulates, resulting in poisoning of individuals. The use of pesticides also reduces available insect food sources.
Lack of information on the species in NSW to inform a conservation management strategy

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Reduce use of insecticides and consider alternatives where available.
Protect individual hollow-bearing trees in all habitats as well as large mature trees which will provide hollows in the future.
Ensure fire frequency is within the recommended regime for the habitat type.
Protect areas of dry, low-elevation, old-growth eucalypt forest, particularly those dominated by Spotted Gum, boxes and ironbarks, from clearing or fragmentation.
Identify areas of habitat and negotiate habitat protection measures with landholders.
Undertake research into the ecology, habitat requirements, roost fidelity and threats to the species.
Undertake monitoring accross tenures to document changes in population size.

Information sources

Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. Second Edition. (Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest)
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Hourigan, C.L., Catterell, C.P., Jones, D. and Rhodes, M. (2008) A comparison of the effectiveness of bat detectors and harp traps for surveying bats in an urban landscape. Wildlife Research 35(8): 768–774
Inkster-Draper, T.E., Sheaves, M., Johnson, C.N. and Robson, S.K.A. (2013) Prescribed fire in eucalypt woodlands: immediate effects on a microbat community of northern Australia. Wildlife Research 40(1): 70-76
Kutt, A.S., Milne, D.J. and Allison, F.R. (2008) Hoary Wattled Bat Chalinolobus nigrogriseus (Gould, 1856). Pp. 537-8 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, S. (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
Pennay, M., Law, B. and Lunney, D. (2012) Review of the distribution and status of the bat fauna of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Pp 226-256 in Law, B., Eby, P., Lunney, D. and Lumsden, L. (eds.) The Biology and Conservation of Australasian Bats. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney)
Pennay, M., Law, B. and Reinhold, L. (2004) Bat calls of New South Wales: Region based guide to the echolocation calls of Microchiropteran bats. (NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Armidale Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Rocky River Gorge	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Washpool	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Northern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None

Images

Hoary Wattled Bat Image 1 of 2.
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