King Horseshoe Bat

About this species

Size

Forearm 4.9–5.6cm; ear 2.89–3.36cm

Weight

8.5–10g

Diet

Insects

Habitat

Caves, rock crevices and forest from Lao Cai to Thua Thien Hue

Range

Northern and central Vietnam and southern China

The king horseshoe bat is a medium-sized bat with exceptionally large, funnel-shaped ears and a broad horseshoe-shaped noseleaf covering the muzzle. Vietnamese measurements give a forearm length of 4.9–5.6 cm, ears of 2.89–3.36 cm and a weight of 8.5–10 g. The back is dark brown with paler hair tips, while the underside is smoky grey and the chin and chest are lighter (Vietnam Red Data Book 2024; Son et al. 2020).

In Vietnam it has been recorded from Lao Cai south to Thua Thien Hue, including Hoang Lien, Kim Hy, Cuc Phuong, Phong Nha–Ke Bang and Bach Ma. It roosts in caves and rock fissures and hunts insects around large trees, shrubs and forest paths. Vietnam's national assessment lists it as Nationally Vulnerable because of reported decline, habitat loss, quarrying and hunting. Recent taxonomic work separates the Vietnamese form from closely related Chinese populations (Vietnam Red Data Book 2024; Tu et al. 2023).

Description: Wildlife of Vietnam guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)