Hipposiderinae

mammal family
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Print
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Also known as: Old World leaf-nosed bat, hipposiderine bat, roundleaf bat

Hipposiderinae, subfamily of insect-eating bats, suborder Microchiroptera, family Rhinolophidae, with 9 genera and approximately 66 species. Known as roundleaf bats, hipposiderine bats are characterized by a round nose leaf (fleshy appendage on the muzzle), consisting of an anterior horseshoe-shaped leaf, various accessory leaves, and an upright transverse leaf. They are found in the tropics from Africa through Asia to Australia. Hipposiderine bats range in colour from reddish or grayish through brown to almost black. Head and body length is about 3–11 cm (1.2–4.3 inches); the tail is either entirely lacking or, when present, measures up to 6 cm (2.4 inches) long. Most hipposiderine species are gregarious and shelter in caves or similar roosts, although a few are solitary.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.