White-striped Freetail Bat

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White-striped Freetail Bat

White-striped Freetail Bat

Tadarida australis

Roosts under peeling bark and in tree hollows. Females form colonies of approximately 20 while males roost alone or in small groups. Hibernation occurs over winter. One or two young are born in October-November. They forage below the canopy amongst vegetation.

Details Description
Type
Mammal
Group
Placental
Identifying Characteristics

A large very soft furred bat. Dark brown to black fur on the back, slightly lighter underparts. Very broad and ribbed ears and wrinkled lips. The tail extends from the tail membrane. Both sexes display a throat pouch. Weight 33-41 g.
Distinctive Markings

A distinct white stripe of fur occurs along each side of the body under the wings. May also have white patches on the chest.
Diet

Carnivore. Moths, bugs, grasshoppers, ants and non-flying beetles.
Habitat

Grasslands, forests, woodland, shrubland and urban areas.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Sounds
The echolocation call is an audible metallic "ting-ting-ting", heard at night.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Chiroptera
Family
Molossidae
Genus
Tadarida
Species
australis
White-striped Freetail Bat
Across southern Australia except Tasmania.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

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