Eastern Long-eared 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: Nyctophilus bifax

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 24 Mar 2020

Description

The Eastern Long-eared Bat is a small-medium sized bat with large ribbed ears that join across the top of the head and a prominent noseleaf or expanded flange of skin around the nostrils. It can be distinguished from the similar Gould’s Long-eared Bat by its tan to rich fawn colour and less prominent twin lobes or “bumps” behind the noseleaf. The ears are also generally shorter than Gould's Long-eared Bat. There are also distinct differences in the morphology of the penis between this species and other similar species.

Distribution

Found from Cape York through eastern Queensland to the far north-east corner of NSW. In NSW they appear to be confined to the coastal plain and nearby coastal ranges, extending south to the Clarence River area, with a few records further south around Coffs Harbour. The species can be locally common within its restricted range.

Habitat and ecology

Lowland subtropical rainforest and wet and swamp eucalypt forest, extending into adjacent moist eucalypt forest.
Coastal rainforest and patches of coastal scrub are particularly favoured.
Roosts in tree hollows, the hanging foliage of palms, in dense clumps of foliage of rainforest trees, under bark and in shallow depressions on trunks and branches, among epiphytes, in the roots of strangler figs, among dead fronds of tree ferns and less often in buildings.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Development pressures in or near swamp, wet sclerophyll and rainforests resulting in habitat degradation, alterations to moisture regimes, and edge effects, and loss of connectivity
Loss of hollow-bearing trees and stands of palms and rainforest trees used for roosting and maternity sites.
Invasion of habitat by weeds, particularly by Bitou Bush on the coast.
High frequency fire.
Climate change resulting in degradation of habitat from forest drying and increasing likelihood of fire.
Limited known sites for the species reducing NSW population viability.
Predation from cats.
Vehicle strike.
Light pollution in and near habitat areas impacting species behaviour.

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

Protect hollow-bearing trees and patches of rainforest and other dense vegetation.
Reduce the use of pesticides and consider alternatives where available.
Assist with removal of weeds, particularly with Bitou Bush control in coastal areas.
Protect known and potential habitat, particularly low elevation rainforest and coastal scrub from clearing, fragmentation and isolation.
Reconnect and rehabilitate patches of known and potential habitat.

Information sources

Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. New Holland, Sydney.
Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. Second Edition. New Holland, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
Parnaby, H. (1995) Eastern Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus bifax. Pp. 500-1 in Strahan, R.(ed.) The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	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	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None

Images

Eastern Long-eared Bat in flight
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Related information

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Nature conservation

Threatened species