The painted bat (Kerivoula picta), also known as the painted wooly bat, is widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia but uncommon species to see. This image was taken on a banana plantation in Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka.
Little is known about its ecology but has been recorded from dry deciduous and dipterocarp forests, small woodland patches, floodplains, paddy fields, sugarcane fields, orchards, and mixed plantations. Small groups of these animals (2-4) can be seen roosting inside unusual sites such as suspended nests of weaver birds and sunbirds, banana tree leaves, or under the eaves of huts and buildings. It mainly feeds on small web spiders. The species is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ as per The IUCN Red List.
Chosen as 'Picture of the Week'
The painted bat is found in South and Southeast Asia. Small groups of these animals (2-4) can be seen roosting in unusual sites such as suspended nests of weaver birds and sunbirds, banana tree leaves, or under the eaves of huts and buildings.