Behavior and Diet
Although Macroderma gigas is inactive during daylight hours, they do not hibernate. Buildings may be used as feeding grounds, but the ghost bat only roosts in caves, rock crevices, or mines. The roost is left several hours after sunset either alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Hunting occurs via a sit and wait technique three to five hours after sundown. Although the ghost bat has astoundingly good vision for a microchiropteran, echolocation is utilized to directly locate approaching prey. Once located, the animal is held down via the thumb claws and killed by a single bite to the neck (Hudson, et al).
The ghost bat is carnivorous and commonly feeds on small mice, other bats, small birds, legless lizards, geckos, snakes, and insects. Macroderma gigas is formally referred to as a specialized carnivore, but they have been known to feed on insects if prey is scarce. Live prey is eaten much more frequently, though, and is usually consumed at the site of capture (Hudson, et al).
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