Observations on the feeding habits of the Greater Broad-nosed Bat, Nycticeius rueppellii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae).

Abstract

Nycticeius rueppellii were found to kill and eat other bats when caught in harp-traps and when confined with other species in captivity. The deaths of at least 26 individuals of seven bat species were attributed to N. rueppellii. Such predatory behaviour was also observed both in small cages and in a large outdoor enclosure and appeared not to be induced by starvation. Feeding trials in captivity showed a more immediate response by N. rueppellii to the presence of live bat prey than to other prey types including mealworms, baby mice and adult mice (Mus musculus). In the field, free-flying N. rueppellii attacked other bats entangled in mist-nets. These observations suggest that the natural diet of this bat may not be restricted to invertebrate prey but may also include vertebrates.