habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
While little information is available on the preferred habitat of the species (Monadjem et al. 2010), it occurs in evergreen forests, riverine forests and both mesic and dry woodland savannahs (including bushveld and miombo), mostly occurring in riverine associations (Cotterill 2013), such as riparian corridors. For example, it has been recorded from riverine forest in Pafuri (Kruger National Park) and coastal forests from Mozambique (Monadjem et al. 2010). Within the assessment region, it is generally associated with moist savannah habitats (Taylor 2000). In 2008, it was recorded from the polluted Umbilo River in the Durban area, which may have been facilitated by the availability of roosting sites in nearby Paradise Valley Nature Reserve (Naidoo et al. 2011). Roosting sites include deserted weaver bird nests (Oschadleus 2008), among clusters of leaves, on the bark of trees, and under the eaves of houses (rondavels) (Roberts 1951; Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Typical of all woolly bats, its pelage aids camouflage when the bats roost in foliage (F.P.D. Cotterill, unpubl. data); and groups (2â4 individuals) resemble the nests of mud wasps, with the group clinging together in a tight cluster (Monadjem et al. 2010). Additionally, the long, dense fur may also be a physiological adaptation to extreme temperatures, experienced when these small bats roost in foliage or birdsâ nests (Monadjem et al. 2010). Although only weighing 7 grams, the Damara Woolly Bat is the heavier of the two African Kerivoula species (Monadjem et al. 2010). Limited information is available for the diet of this clutter-forager species (Monadjem et al. 2010), but it is known that they are insectivorous (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).
Ecosystem and cultural services: As this species is insectivorous, it may contribute to controlling insect populations that damage crops (Boyles et al. 2011; Kunz et al. 2011). Ensuring a healthy population of insectivorous bats can thus decrease the need for pesticides
