Head to head
Greater False Vampire Bat vs Ghost Bat
Greater False Vampire Bat
VS Ghost Bat
The greater false vampire bat of Asia and the ghost bat of Australia are both big-eared carnivorous bats, each sometimes called a false vampire bat, though neither drinks blood.
| Greater False Vampire Bat | Ghost Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Megaderma lyra | Macroderma gigas |
| Range | India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia | Northern Australia only |
| Diet | Large insects, frogs, lizards, birds, small rodents, and other bats | Birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other bats |
| Ears and nose | Very large ears joined across the forehead, with a tall leaf-shaped nose | Large ears joined at the base, with pale grey fur |
| Hunting | Uses hearing as well as echolocation, often taking prey from the ground | Ambushes from a still perch, watching and listening before swooping down |
| Roost | Caves, old buildings, and other dark places, often in groups | Caves, rock crevices, and abandoned mine shafts by day |
| Naming | Not a true vampire bat, and does not drink blood | Also known as the Australian false vampire bat |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Vulnerable, with a decreasing population |
Greater False Vampire Bat vs Ghost Bat: common questions
Do these bats drink blood?
No, the greater false vampire bat and the ghost bat are carnivores that eat animals such as frogs, birds, small mammals, and other bats.
Which bat is more at risk?
The ghost bat, which is Vulnerable and restricted to northern Australia, while the greater false vampire bat is Least Concern.
Where do the greater false vampire bat and ghost bat live?
The greater false vampire bat lives in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia, while the ghost bat lives only in northern Australia.