Eastern Cave 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: Vespadelus troughtoni

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

A small chestnut-brown bat with rufous tones on the head, and darker wings. It has smallish, conical ears and a short, up-tipped nose. The species is very difficult to separate from several other closely related species that occur in similar areas. The most reliable physical distinguishing feature is the shape of the male's penis.

Distribution

The Eastern Cave Bat is found in a broad band on both sides of the Great Dividing Range from Cape York to Kempsey, with records from the New England Tablelands and the upper north coast of NSW. The western limit appears to be the Warrumbungle Range, and there is a single record from southern NSW, east of the ACT.

Habitat and ecology

Very little is known about the biology of this uncommon species.
A cave-roosting species that is usually found in dry open forest and woodland, near cliffs or rocky overhangs; has been recorded roosting in disused mine workings, occasionally in colonies of up to 500 individuals.
Occasionally found along cliff-lines in wet eucalypt forest and rainforest.
Little is understood of its feeding or breeding requirements or behaviour.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing and isolation of dry eucalypt forest and woodland, particularly about cliffs and other areas containing suitable roosting and maternity sites, mainly as a result of agricultural and residential development.
Loss of roosting habitat including rocky areas, caves, overhangs crevices, cliffs and escarpments, or old mines or tunnels, old buildings and sheds.
Loss of suitable feeding habitat near roosting and maternity sites as a result of modifications from timber harvesting and inappropriate fire regimes usually associated with grazing.
Pesticides and herbicides may reduce the availability of invertebrates, or result in the accumulation of toxic residues in individuals' fat stores.
Damage to roosting and maternity sites from mining operations, and recreational activities such as caving.
There is a strong likelihood that unrecorded populations could be unintentionally affected by land management actions.
Probable predation by cats and foxes.
Very little is known about the ecology, behaviour and habitat requirements.

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

Raise landowners’ awareness about the potential presence of this species and provide information on how their management actions could affect the species’ survival.
Keep domestic cats indoors at night; desex domestic cats.
Undertake fox and feral cat control programs.
Protect known and potential habitat from burning at too-frequent intervals.
Assess appropriateness of cat ownership in new subdivisions.
Avoid damage or disturbance to known roosting and maternity sites from mining activities, and from recreational caving activities.
Reduce the use of pesticides in habitat areas.
Protect known and potential habitat from clearing and isolation, particularly dry open forest and woodland around cliffs, rock overhangs and old mine workings.
Assist in determining distribution and population size by recording sightings (which are most likely to be of dead specimens) for submission to DEC.
Research is required into all aspects of this species’ biology.
Surveys need to be conducted in suitable habitat with the species' range, and in suitable habitat in proposed development areas.
Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planned poison spraying activities.

Information sources

Churchill, S. (2008) Australian Bats. New Holland, Sydney.
Kitchener, D.J., Jones, B. and Caputi, N. (1987) Revision of Australian Eptesicus (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Records of the Western Australian Museum 13:427-500.
Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Uni Press, Melbourne.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Range	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Basalts	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Known	None
Nandewar	Inverell Basalts	Known	North of Graman
Nandewar	Kaputar	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Ebor Basalts	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Round Mountain	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tingha Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Wongwibinda Plateau	Known	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	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Mummel Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Rocky River Gorge	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Washpool	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Capertee Valley	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Capertee Uplands	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	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Images

Eastern Cave Bat in flight Image 1 of 3.
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