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colour phases, a dark type in humid country and a pale form in dry areas.
Usually roosts solitarily or in small colonies.
The family Molossidae has a single genus and species in the
State.Tadarida aegyptiaca,the Wrinkle-lipped Bat, easily distinguished by
the thick ears joined together, the wrinkled upper jaw, the narrow wings
and the fleshy tail projecting out of the membrane for half its length.
Roosts during the day in narrow deep crevices on cliffs and large
buildings. An uncommon species recorded from the drier parts of the
State.
The family Vespertilionidae is represented by six genera of small
bats.Myotis peshwa,originally described from Poona, is rare and has been
so far recorded only from Poona, Thana and Elephanta island. Nothing is
known of its habits. Four species ofPipistrellusoccur,P. ceylonicus, P.
mimus, P. coromandraandP. dormeri.The species of this genus are small
sized bats,P. mimusbeing one of the smallest of Indian bats. A common
genus, the colour being usually dark grey, butceylonicusshows extreme
variation, brown rufous and dark grey individuals occurring in the same
colony.P. dormeris much lighter than other species being whitish below
and grey above with almost transparent wings.
Tickell’s BatHesperoptenus tickelliis known in the State from Bombay
and Poona. A medium sized bat, in colour pale yellowish grey with grey
head and a distinctive tuft of white hair at the base of the ears. Little is
known of its habits. The yellow Bat,Scotophilus heathi,easily
distinguished by its canary-yellow under parts, is very common and is the
bat most often seen round towns and villages hawking at sunset. Roosts
during the day in crevices and holes, on the ceiling, under a roof or in
woodwork. The closely allied speciesScotophilus temminckiis
uncommon.Miniopterus schreibersi,a widely distributed species in the
Palaeartic region has the unique habit of roosting in enormous colonies.
The only known colony of this species in Western India located at
Robber’s cave, Mahableshwar, has over 1,00,000 individuals and is
probably of considerable significance in controlling the insect population
of the area. The Painted BatKervoula pictawith its bright reddish fur and
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