Skip to Main Content

Nature Atlas

How Nature Works

Sign In

Text size

100%

Theme

Switch Atlas

Interactive AtlasThe Family Home

The Inner World

The Civil World

The Natural World

Specy

Lesser mouse-tailed bat

Mammals

The lesser mouse-tailed bat, Rhinopoma hardwickii, is a small insect-eating bat of the family Rhinopomatidae, named for a long, thin tail that resembles a mouse's. It is also called Hardwicke's lesser mouse-tailed bat after Major General Thomas Hardwicke, an English soldier and naturalist who served many years in India. The species is found in North Africa, parts of central and eastern Africa and West Asia, and east across the Indian subcontinent as far as Thailand. The head and body measure about 62 to 71 millimetres and the tail 57 to 70 millimetres. It lives in arid or semi-arid desert country, roosting in caves, abandoned buildings, wells and rock crevices, in colonies that run from a handful of animals to thousands. It feeds mainly on beetles, neuropterans and moths, stores fat in a fold of abdominal skin and survives the winter in torpor. Females bear a single young, usually in June or July, and the IUCN lists the species as Least Concern.

Facts

Classification

Diet

Insectivore 1

System (Realm)

Terrestrial 1

Threats

Other or No Known Threats 1

Relationship to People

No Significant Interaction with Humans 1

Living or Extinct

Yes 1

Conservation Status

Least Concern 1

Body Size Band

Tiny 1

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal 1

Connections

Child Taxon Of

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)

In Biome

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)

In Ecosystem

Source Animal Diversity Web: Rhinopoma hardwickii, lesser mouse-tailed bat (Animal Diversity Web)

In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Afghanistan

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Afghanistan

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Algeria

Quote, Distribution, Algeria

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Bangladesh

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Bangladesh

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Burkina Faso

Quote, Distribution, Burkina Faso

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Chad

Quote, Distribution, Chad

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Djibouti

Quote, Distribution, Djibouti

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Egypt

Quote, Distribution, Egypt

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Eritrea

Quote, Distribution, Eritrea

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Ethiopia

Quote, Distribution, Ethiopia

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, India

Quote, Distribution, Asia, India

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Iran

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Iran

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Iraq

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Iraq

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Israel

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Israel

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Jordan

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Jordan

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Kenya

Quote, Distribution, Kenya

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Kuwait

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Kuwait

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Libya

Quote, Distribution, Libya

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Mali

Quote, Distribution, Mali

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Mauritania

Quote, Distribution, Mauritania

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Morocco

Quote, Distribution, Morocco

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Niger

Quote, Distribution, Niger

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Nigeria

Quote, Distribution, Nigeria

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Oman

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Oman

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Pakistan

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Pakistan

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Saudi Arabia

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Saudi Arabia

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Somalia

Quote, Distribution, Somalia

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Sudan

Quote, Distribution, Sudan

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Thailand

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Thailand

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Tunisia

Quote, Distribution, Tunisia

Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Asia, Yemen

Quote, Distribution, Asia, Yemen

Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.

Sources

1. Animal Diversity Web: Rhinopoma hardwickii, lesser mouse-tailed bat (Animal Diversity Web)

Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status
was changed to least concern in 2004, and has sustained the same categorization ever since.
Food Habits
insectivorous bats with beetles making up about 50% of their diet.
Habitat
Lesser mouse-tailed bats inhabit deserts and semi-deserts where roosts and food are available.
Conservation Status, living or extinct
Populations of Rhinopoma hardwickii are common and widespread with no major threats of decline.
Conservation Status, no major threats
common and widespread with no major threats of decline.
Economic Importance for Humans, negative
There are no known negative impacts of lesser mouse-tailed bats on humans.
Key Behaviors
nocturnal
Physical Description
The total body length ranges from 119 to 141 mm and the tail makes up approximately 57 to 70 mm of that.
In Ecosystem: Sahara Desert, Geographic Range
They can also be found in the African Sahara mostly north of 15°N

View the Source

Lesser mouse-tailed bat (Wikipedia)

Distribution, Algeria
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Burkina Faso
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Chad
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Djibouti
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Egypt
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Eritrea
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Ethiopia
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Kenya
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Libya
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Mali
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Mauritania
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Morocco
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Niger
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Nigeria
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Somalia
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Sudan
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Tunisia
Africa : Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia.
Distribution, Asia, Afghanistan
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Bangladesh
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, India
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Iran
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Iraq
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Israel
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Jordan
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Kuwait
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Oman
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Pakistan
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Saudi Arabia
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Thailand
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Distribution, Asia, Yemen
Asia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Socotra island of Yemen.
Child Taxon Of: Rhinopomatidae, Lead
is a species of microbat in the family Rhinopomatidae
In Group: Bats (Chiroptera), Lead
is a species of microbat in the family Rhinopomatidae
In Biome: Desert, Habitat
The lesser mouse-tailed bat is typically found in arid or semi-arid desert habitat

View the Source

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.

Reader Challenges (0)

No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.