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# The Ghost Bat **Introduction** This Australian flying mammal may have a scary name, but it's more fascinating than frightening! It's a real animal, and a really important one to its ecosystem. Its name comes from its ghostly grey fur, which looks almost white. The bat is active at night, much...

# The Ghost Bat **Introduction** This Australian flying mammal may have a scary name, but it's more fascinating than frightening! It's a real animal, and a really important one to its ecosystem. Its name comes from its ghostly grey fur, which looks almost white. The bat is active at night, much like a ghost. **What Makes It Special?** * **Big Ears:** The ghost bat is small, but its ears are surprisingly large, over 5 cm (2 in.) in length, twice the height of its head, and joined at the base. This gives it stability while flying. * **Echolocation:** The bat uses echolocation, a type of animal radar. It sends out high-pitched sounds that bounce off objects. The reflected signals are collected by the leaf-shaped nose and the bat's ears. This allows them to navigate in darkness and find insects for food. * **Nocturnal Habit:** Ghost bats are nocturnal and live mostly in caves and abandoned mine tunnels in Northern Australia. * **Diet:** The ghost bat is the only carnivorous bat in Australia, feeding on small birds, mammals (including other bats!), amphibians, reptiles, and large insects. * **Imposter Alert:** There are copycats, or similar bats, such as the northern ghost bat found across Central and North America. The northern ghost bat is smaller and fluffier, and feeds on insects. * **Stealth Aircraft:** The Ghost Bat is also the name of a stealth aircraft, the Boeing MQ-28, built in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. It first flew in 2021. **Fast Facts** | Feature | Details | |---|---| | **Habitat** | Northern Australia, mostly in caves and abandoned mine tunnels | | **Length** | 10.7 cm (4.2 in.) | | **Wingspan** | 68 cm (26.8 in.) | | **Habit** | Nocturnal | | **Diet** | Australia's only carnivorous bat; eats small birds, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and large insects. | **Sensory Abilities** * Bats have exceptional senses. * Ghost bats have large eyes suitable for low-light conditions. * Their hearing is also excellent, helping them pinpoint the movement of tiny insects. **Secret Space** * Ghost bats roost in caves with multiple exits to stay safe from predators like owls. * Human disturbance can cause them to leave their roosts. That's why it's important to leave these magnificent mammals alone!