Mammals
Egyptian Tomb Bat
Taphozous perforatus
In the cool dark of an ancient tomb, a colony of Egyptian tomb bats hangs from the ceiling, waiting for dusk and the chance to hunt insects high over the desert.
Overview
The Egyptian tomb bat, Taphozous perforatus, is a Least Concern insect-eating bat of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its roosts in tombs and ruins, fast open-air flight, and wide range across dry country make it one of the best-known bats of the Middle East and northeastern Africa.
A bat that lives in ruins
Old buildings, tombs, and mines offer the stable, dark roosts this bat needs, so its fate is tied to the survival of such sites.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across a large range.
Egyptian Tomb Bat: common questions
Why is it called the Egyptian tomb bat?
It roosts in ancient tombs, ruins, caves, and mines, which gave the species its name.
What does the Egyptian tomb bat eat?
It catches flying insects on the wing, often high over open country.
Where does the Egyptian tomb bat live?
It lives in desert, savanna, and farmland from the Sahel and northeastern Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.
Is the Egyptian tomb bat related to other sheath-tailed bats?
Yes, it belongs to the sheath-tailed bats, whose tail tips poke through the membrane between the legs.