Ghost Bat

The Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas), also known as the False Vampire Bat is a bat native to Australia, named for the extremely thin membrane of its wings that makes it appear ghostly at night. Ghost Bats have grey fur on their backs and pale grey or white fur on their undersides. They have long, narrow wings but no tail, averaging 11 cm in length. Females are generally smaller than males. The adaptations of the ghost bats: They have large ears for long distance hearing, and very sharp teeth so they can attack prey.

Ghost Bat The Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) is an endemic species to Australia within the Northern Pilbara and Kimberley in Western Australia, the top end of the Northern Territory, and scattered throughout the Queensland area (Hoyle, et al). Analysis of fossil remains shows that distribution patterns within Australia changed in waves of both expansion and contraction, and the probable cause was climate change (Hudson, et al). Populations of the ghost bat have declined from 450 in the 1960s to 150 in the 1980s (Hoyle, et al). The ghost bat gets its common name from its distinct coloring: the predominate shade of fur is a whitish pale grey (Hudson, et al). Not much is known of the genetics of the ghost bat.

The name Macroderma gigas comes from the Greek words makros (large) and derma (skin), due to the enormity of their wings. Giga, as an epithet, translates to giant; this is due to the fact that it is the largest species in the family (Hudson, et al).