Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Greater False Vampire Bat
Bats
Photo: Ian Dugdale · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Lyroderma lyra
Basic stats
Diet
Other bats, birds, reptiles, fish and insects
Litter size
1-2
Gestation period
150-160 days
Size
6.5-9.5cm long, forearm 6.5-7.2cm
Weight
40-60g
The greater false vampire bat is 6.5 to 9.5 cm long, weighs 40 to 60 g and has a forearm of 6.5 to 7.2 cm. It has large ears, no tail, blue-grey fur with brownish underparts and an erect nose-leaf of about 10 mm. It is strongly carnivorous, eating other bats, birds, reptiles, fish and insects (Wikipedia, general species account).
About 85% of prey is taken on low searching flights, and it also hunts from a perch, and has been seen catching prey in complete darkness without echolocation. Gestation is 150 to 160 days, with one or two pups nursed for two to three months. The species ranges across South and Southeast Asia including Sri Lanka. Nationally Vulnerable (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Greater False Vampire Bat eat?
- Other bats, birds, reptiles, fish and insects
- What is the litter size of the Greater False Vampire Bat?
- 1-2
- How long is the gestation period of the Greater False Vampire Bat?
- 150-160 days
- How big is the Greater False Vampire Bat?
- 6.5-9.5cm long, forearm 6.5-7.2cm
- How much does the Greater False Vampire Bat weigh?
- 40-60g