17 May 2024

Identification Help – Unknown Bat (Ghana)

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping there is an expert out there who can help identify this bat from Ghana (West Africa). I found this bat roosting in the shower of our room at the lodge at Ankasa Conservation Area (southwestern Ghana). I’ve looked in various field guides and in iNaturalist but can’t find anything definitive. Any ID help would be greatly appreciated!

-Andrew

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Post author

Andrew McKinley
I’m a wildlife lover and professional ecologist based in Ottawa (Canada). I have an interest in mammals but also other vertebrates including fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. I’ve been travelling and searching for wild animals throughout the world since 2006 and I have experience in most of the world’s major ecoregions, although there are still many places and species that I want to see! In recent years I’ve been organizing a couple of focused wildlife trips each year, in addition to casual trips with family where I look for wildlife opportunistically. I’m interested in joining expeditions and/or having others join trips that I organize. In addition to mammals, I’m happy to spend time looking for other vertebrates when the opportunity arises. I’m also a scuba diver/snorkeler and can combine terrestrial trips with underwater excursions. I’m always up for a challenge and am eager to consider expedition style experiences targeting difficult species. I have a PhD in Biology and my academic background is primarily in fish ecology. I currently work as a Registered Professional Biologist and run my own ecology consulting company. I’ve worked professionally in Australia, Panama, and across Canada.
Post Views: 396

5 Comments

  • 17 May 2024
    Jon Hall

    It’s a nycteris (slit faced) species. These are a hard genus to get to species level from photos and there are several species in Ghana. That said it looks quite distinctive so maybe someone can figure out the species. I don’t have access to my books I’m afraid to try.

    • 21 May 2024
      Jon Hall

      Why not upload it to inaturalist. The Afribats group there are active and good and will try to give you an ID

  • 22 May 2024
    Andrew McKinley

    Hi Jon,

    Thanks for the ID help – it is great to know that it is a Slit Faced Bat. That is a new family for me so I’m glad to verify that. I’ll upload the photo to iNaturalist as you suggested and will label it at the family level. Hopefully someone can help get the species ID.

    Thanks!

    -Andrew

    • 23 May 2024
      Jon Hall

      Please report back if you get an answer! thanks

      • 23 May 2024
        Andrew McKinley

        Hi Jon,

        I’ve already heard back from the Afribats group on iNaturalist and they said an ID to species level isn’t possible based solely on the photo. They identified it to the genus level (Nycteris sp.). Thanks!

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