Schlieffens bat

Introduction: Schlieffen's bat is one of the smallest bats in southern Africa. It is named after the collector Count Wilhelm von Schlieffen-Schlieffenburg. They roost individually or in small groups under protruding bark and crevices of holes in trees or rocks. This is one of the first bats out hunting at dusk.

It has a laboured and erratic flight pattern, manoeuvring around the skies to catch as many insects as it can in one sortie, especially by flying into insect swarms at night.

Distribution: Northern Namibia from the Epupa Falls region, Etosha National Park, Zambezi Region to Victoria Falls.

Diet: Small soft-bodied insects at or near permanent sources of water.

Colouring: Short light fawn fur on the back with a paler fur on the abdomen. The wings are dark brown.

Breeding: Schlieffen's bat mate in April/May and females store sperm until August when she gives birth to twin pups, who can fly and fend for themselves within a month.

Size: Average body length of 75mm.

Weight: 4.6g.