habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
It is predominantly a temperate or subtropical species with the core of its distribution in the savannahs and grasslands of southern Africa (Monadjem et al. 2010), and has been recorded from semi-desert, dry and moist savannah, and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. It is associated with trees and orchards surrounding artificial wetlands (Sirami et al. 2013). It is generally a cave roosting species also found in similar habitats such as disused mines. The availability of suitable roosting sites may be more critical in determining its presence in an area than the surrounding vegetation (Monadjem et al. 2010). Smaller groups will also utilise crevice-type habitats. It utilises separate caves as winter hibernacula and summer maternity roosts (van der Merwe 1975), with hibernacula generally being cooler and at higher altitudes, which may be an important consideration for wind farm planning. Females typically migrate seasonally between these caves, which may be separated by up to 260 km (Miller-Butterworth et al. 2003). Females congregate at maternity roosts where each one gives birth to a single young (Monadjem et al. 2010). This species holds the longevity record for a southern Africa bat of 13 years (van der Merwe 1989).It is a clutter-edge forager, feeding on a variety of aerial prey including Diptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Isoptera (Jacobs 1999; Schoeman & Jacobs 2003; Miller-Butterworth et al. 2005).
Ecosystem and cultural services: As this species is insectivorous, it plays an important role in controlling insect populations (Boyles et al. 2011; Kunz et al. 2011). Bats often prey on the insect species that destroy crops (Boyles et al. 2011; Kunz et al. 2011). Ensuring a healthy population of insectivorous bats can thus result in a decrease in the use of pesticides.
