Shield-faced Roundleaf Bat

The shield-faced roundleaf bat is a large Hipposideros whose broad facial leaflets create the shield-like appearance reflected in its English name. It was described from Chiang Dao Cave in northern Thailand. Noseleaf, skull and echolocation characters distinguish it from other large regional roundleaf bats (Mammal Diversity Database; original taxonomic literature).

Its range extends from southern China through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia. Thai records span northern, western and southern cave systems. It roosts underground and catches nocturnal insects with constant-frequency echolocation, but dependable species-specific reproduction data remain sparse (Thai cave-fauna checklist; regional bat field guide). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).