Northern Free-tailed 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: Ozimops lumsdenae

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 10 Jun 2016

Profile last updated: 24 Mar 2020

Description

As with all freetail-bats the Beccari’s Freetail-bat has a thick, wrinkled upper lip and grooved cheeks, giving the head a mastiff-like appearance, with the end of the tail projecting well past the tail membrane. Its build is muscular with triangular-shaped ears and thick, elastic wing membranes. It is usually a fast, high flyer, although it descends low over water, and can scurry over tree trunks and on the ground.

Distribution

Widely distributed across northern Australia from Western Australia to Queensland, extending south to the north-east corner of NSW. The only confirmed record in NSW is of a colony found in the roof of a house in Murwillumbah, however, calls have been detected from a few other locations in the far north east of the State.

Habitat and ecology

A range of vegetation types in northern Australia, from rainforests to open forests and woodlands, and are often recorded along watercourses.
They can also occur in towns and cities.
Roost mainly in tree hollows but relatively large colonies have been found under house roofs in urban areas in Queensland.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing of forest and woodland habitat for agricultural, residential and infrastructure development.
Loss of hollow-bearing trees used for roosting and maternity sites as the result dieback, too frequent burning and forest management favouring younger stands.
Use of pesticides.

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 the frequency of burning forests and woodlands in areas of known habitat, particularly forests used for cattle grazing.
Protect hollow-bearing trees, including those in agricultural and urbanised areas, and ensure a range of tree age classes are present in known habitat to sustain a supply hollow-bearing trees.
Reduce the use of pesticides and consider the use of alternatives where available.
Protect known and potential habitat from clearing.

Information sources

Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. New Holland, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	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

Images

Beccari's Freetail-bat
Enlarge image

Related information

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Nature conservation

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