Wildlifeof Thailand
Diadem Roundleaf Bat
Hipposideridae
Photo: (c) Luke Lythgoe, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY (May be cropped or resized)
Hipposideros diadema
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly beetles, moths and orthopteroid insects, with rare spiders or small birds
Habitat
Forest, caves, hollow trees and buildings
Range
Southeast Asia to New Guinea and northern Australia
The diadem roundleaf bat is a large hipposiderid with an elaborate horseshoe-shaped anterior noseleaf, very large ears and no tragus. Males have a forehead sac that produces a waxy secretion. It is one of the most widespread roundleaf bats, ranging from Southeast Asia to New Guinea, the Solomon region and northern Australia (Animal Diversity Web).
Colonies roost in large caves, hollow trees and buildings and often forage along forested rivers. Beetles, moths and orthopteroid insects dominate the diet, while spiders and small birds are rare prey. Individuals commonly hunt from perches, making short interception flights guided by constant-frequency echolocation (Animal Diversity Web). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Diadem Roundleaf Bat eat?
- Mainly beetles, moths and orthopteroid insects, with rare spiders or small birds
- What habitat does the Diadem Roundleaf Bat live in?
- Forest, caves, hollow trees and buildings
- Where is the Diadem Roundleaf Bat found?
- Southeast Asia to New Guinea and northern Australia