Identification:
- Ears long and slightly curved forward.
- Muzzle covered with fur (except for nostrils).
- Fur thick and soft.
- Dorsal: tips of hairs are bright red, hair shafts are tan, and the base of the hairs are gray.
- Ventral: tips of hairs are grayish-brown, the shafts and base are darker.
- Wing membranes and interfemoral membrane are uniformly brown.
- Long, reddish-brown hairs cover the upper surface of the interfemoral membrane, wings, and feet.
- Nostrils are tubular.
Biology, Ecology:
- Often found in mountainous forest habitats, near water sources (ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, etc.).
- Feeds on insects of the order Coleoptera (beetles).
Distribution:
- Vietnam: Lao Cai, Quang Binh, Quang Tri provinces.
- Global: India, Myanmar, China, Indonesia (Borneo), Philippines.
Value:
- A rare bat species in Vietnam, with scientific and aesthetic value.
Conservation Status:
- Limited distribution, low population size.
- Since 1993, only one record of this species has been documented, in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh province), where it is considered very rare.
IUCN Red List Status:
- VU A1c D1 (Vulnerable)
Conservation Measures:
- Included in the Vietnam Red Data Book in 2000.
- Hunting and other harmful activities targeting this species in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park must be prevented.
- Investigate and determine the current status of the species in Lao Bao to develop and implement timely conservation solutions.