Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 5218614

Egyptian Slit-faced Bat

Nycteris thebaica

Also known as Common Slit-faced Bat, Theban Slit-faced Bat

Egyptian slit-faced bats are agile gleaners that use broad wings and exceptionally large ears to hover close to the ground, snatching walking insects and scorpions directly off the substrate. A deep facial groove enhances soft, low-intensity echolocation clicks that allow them to approach prey without triggering acoustic defense mechanisms. During daylight hours, colonies roost upside down in dark caves, hollow baobab trees, culverts, and undisturbed buildings across Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

NocturnalInsectivoreCave Dweller
Egyptian Slit-faced Bat reference1 / 4
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—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Moths
  • Scorpions
  • Beetles
Predators
  • Barn owls
  • Bat hawks
  • Tree snakes
ThreatsRoost disturbance, cave commercialization, and pesticide accumulation
HabitatsSavannas, semi-arid scrub, caves, rocky outcrops, and abandoned structures
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. FamilyNycteridae
  2. SpeciesNycteris thebaica
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can carry rabies and bite defensively if handled; observe roosts without touching or disturbing.
Why it is dangerous
Bats can harbor zoonotic pathogens such as rabies lyssaviruses, which transmit through defensive bites and scratches.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by exceptionally long oval ears, greyish-brown fur, and a deep vertical furrow running down the face.
What to do
Never touch or pick up a grounded bat with bare hands; call an authorized wildlife rescue organization instead.
Responsible observation
  • Roost Etiquette: Keep flashlights dimmed and speak softly when passing through shared cave systems.
  • Night Spotting: Watch for low, fluttering flight paths near foliage shortly after complete darkness falls.
Related species
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