Bats

Kenya is home to over 110 species of bats, which represents about a third of the total number of bat species found in Africa. These bats belong to various families, including fruit bats, free-tailed bats, horseshoe bats, and leaf-nosed bats. Here are some of the most common bat species found in Kenya:

• 1. Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus): This is one of the largest species of fruit bats found in Kenya, with a wingspan of up to 2 feet. They are widespread across Africa and are known for their noisy social behavior and their habit of roosting in large colonies in caves, buildings, and trees.
• 2. Yellow-winged Bat (Lavia frons): This species of free-tailed bat is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya. They are small, insectivorous bats with a distinctive yellow stripe on their wings.
• 3. Hildebrandt's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hildebrandtii): This species of horseshoe bat is found in Kenya and other parts of East Africa. They are insectivorous bats that use echolocation to navigate and find their prey. They are named after the distinctive horseshoe-shaped structure on their nose, which helps them focus their sonar.
• 4. Peters's Dwarf Epauletted Fruit Bat (Micropteropus pusillus): This species of fruit bat is found in the forests of Kenya and other parts of East Africa. They are small, insectivorous bats with distinctive white patches on their shoulders.
• 5. African Yellow House Bat (Scotophilus dinganii): This is a common species of house bat found throughout Africa, including Kenya. They are small, insectivorous bats that are often found roosting in buildings and other man-made structures.