Nigerian Bat Diversity.
Nigeria hosts one of the most diverse bat faunas on the continent. We're documenting it — species by species, forest by forest.
Nigeria sits within a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot. Its southeastern rainforests form part of Africa's species-rich bat region. Hosting about a third of bat species known from Africa, Nigeria's bat diversity spans 8 families and roughly 100 recorded species, with more likely still to be found.
Ongoing Surveys
We are currently conducting surveys to update Nigeria's bat record. Check back for new discoveries as our fieldwork continues across the region.
Bat Families of Nigeria
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Pteropodidae
Fruit Bats
Old-world fruit bats are among Africa's most efficient seed dispersers and pollinators. Examples include the Straw-coloured Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum), Franquet's Epauletted Bat (Epomops franqueti), and Woermann's Long-tongued Fruit Bat (Megaloglossus woermanni), all of which are critical for forest regeneration.
Rhinolophidae
Horseshoe Bats
Insectivorous bats with horseshoe-shaped nose leaves are adapted for precise echolocation. Examples include the Upland Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hillorum).
Hipposideridae
Leaf-nosed Bats
Close relatives of horseshoe bats, with advanced echolocation. This family includes the rare, Endangered Short-tailed roundleaf bat (Hipposideros curtus).
Nycteridae
Slit-faced Bats
Distinguished by a deep facial furrow, these insectivores are found across Nigerian forests.
Molossidae
Free-tailed Bats
Fast-flying, high-altitude hunters that commonly roost in buildings, bridges, and caves. Includes the Angolan Free-tailed Bat (Mops condylurus).
Vespertilionidae
Vesper Bats
The world's most diverse and widespread bat family, small insectivores with simple facial features, including the Lesser Woolly Bat (Kerivoula lanosa).
Miniopteridae
Bent-winged Bats
Named for their uniquely bent wing structure. Includes Miniopterus inflatus in Nigeria.
Emballonuridae
Sheath-tailed Bats
Small to medium bats that roost in tree hollows and caves. Includes the Mauritian Tomb Bat (Taphozous mauritianus).
Emballonuridae
Sheath-tailed Bats
Small to medium bats that roost in tree hollows and caves. Includes the Mauritian Tomb Bat (Taphozous mauritianus).
The Bats of Nigeria Project
The Bats of Nigeria Project is our flagship research project at SMACON. Here, we seek to document the country's bat fauna, distribution, and ecology. A critical component of this work also involves developing local capacity. As interest in bat research and conservation develops among Nigerian students, we aim to encourage sound science that generates reliable datasets and is publishable in reputable journals, contributing to fundamental bat biology, broader ecology and evidence-based conservation.
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With support from Texas Tech University, University of Washington, the Harrison Institute, UK, and the Museum Naturelle d'Historia, France, we have been working to update the list of Nigerian bats since 2013
Major Findings
10
New country records
Bat species newly documented for Nigeria
~100
Species recorded
For 8 families across Nigeria
1
Rediscovery
Short-tailed roundleaf bat, unseen for ~45 years