🦇 Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus kuhlii) – The Golden-Hued Night Flier of the Tropics

The Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat, scientifically known as Scotophilus kuhlii, is a small but remarkable bat species found across South and Southeast Asia. Known for its bright yellow to golden-brown fur, this insectivorous mammal plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations, especially in forested and rural areas. Despite its small size, it is an ecological powerhouse, and yes—it’s also present in the Sundarbans!

Let’s explore its taxonomy, morphology, behavior, habitat, and its special presence in the Sundarbans 🌿.

📚 Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Mammalia

• Order: Chiroptera

• Family: Vespertilionidae

• Genus: Scotophilus

• Species: Scotophilus kuhlii

• Common Name: Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat

🦇 Morphology & Physical Description

• Size: A small bat, with a forearm length of 45–55 mm

• Wingspan: Roughly 25–30 cm

• Weight: Around 15–25 grams

• Coloration:

  • Golden-yellow to reddish-brown dorsal fur

  • Lighter, often whitish or pale yellow underparts

• Ears: Short and rounded with a well-developed tragus (an ear structure crucial for echolocation)

• Wings: Long and narrow, well-suited for fast, agile flight in open areas

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

• Found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and widely across Southeast Asia

• Occupies tropical and subtropical regions, often roosting in:

  • Tree hollows

  • Roofs of houses

  • Temple attics and thatched huts

  • Old buildings and crevices

This bat species thrives close to human habitation, making it a familiar sight in rural villages and even urban edges.

🌟 Special Features & Behavior

🦗 Insect-Eating Champion

• Feeds on moths, mosquitoes, beetles, and other nocturnal flying insects

• Can consume up to 1,000 insects in a single night—making it a natural pest controller

📡 Master of Echolocation

• Navigates and hunts using high-frequency sound waves, echolocating mid-air insects with stunning precision

🌙 Nocturnal & Colonial

• Roosts during the day in groups, emerging after dusk to forage

• Highly social, often found in colonies of dozens or even hundreds

🌿 Presence in the Sundarbans

Yes, the Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat is known to inhabit the Sundarbans, especially in the fringe forest villages and degraded mangrove patches.

🌾 Habitat in the Sundarbans:

• Roosts in tree hollows, thatched rooftops, and crevices of village structures

• Feeds over paddy fields, ponds, and mangrove clearings, taking advantage of the rich insect life

• Plays a vital role in keeping mosquito and pest populations in check, indirectly aiding human health and agriculture

⚠️ Threats:

• Habitat loss due to deforestation, modernization, and renovation of traditional homes

• Disturbance of roosts in temples and old structures

• Misconceptions about bats leading to unnecessary killing

🚨 Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern – thanks to its wide distribution and adaptability

• However, local threats can cause population declines in specific regions like the Sundarbans

• Needs more community-based awareness for protection, especially around human dwellings

The Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat may be small and often overlooked, but its role in insect control and ecological balance is immense—especially in sensitive ecosystems like the Sundarbans. With their golden sheen and aerial acrobatics, they are truly the unsung heroes of the night sky.

💡 Credit Note

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Learn more about the Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat on Wikipedia.