Sakeji Horseshoe Bat
- Rhinolophus sakejiensis
- IUCN Status: Data Deficient
- Trend: uncomfirmed
General Information
The Sakeji horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus sakejiensis) is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae.
Fun Facts
The Sakeji horseshoe bat is one of Zambia’s most enigmatic and rarely seen bats, known only from a handful of caves near the Sakeji River in the northwestern part of the country. It is endemic to Zambia. This small, insect-eating bat belongs to the horseshoe bat family (Rhinolophidae), named for its distinctive nose-leaf structure, which helps focus echolocation calls.
Like all horseshoe bats, it wraps its wings around itself at rest, resembling a tiny furled umbrella.
Its calls are inaudible to humans—requiring bat detectors to study.
Distribution & Habitat
The Sakeji horseshoe bat is endemic to Zambia and can be found in the Sakeji River caves (North-Western Province, near the Angolan border).
Potential undiscovered roosts can also be found in the Zambezi Source area.
Interaction with Humans
The Sakeji horseshoe bat is threatened by habitat loss.
References
Share:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Chiroptera
- Family: Rhinolophidae
- Genus: Rhinolophus
