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Mammals · Sumatera · Java

Fawn Roundleaf Bat

Fawn Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros cervinus). The fawn roundleaf bat is a hipposiderid recorded across parts of Southeast Asia and Australia; colour alone is unreliable for similar bats.

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Photograph of Fawn Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros cervinus).
Светлана Царахова, no rights reserved (CC0) · CC0 1.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Fawn Roundleaf Bat at a glance

The Fawn Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros cervinus) is a mammal in the family Hipposideridae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from Southeast Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Central Java. Diet: insect-eater: small beetles and moths (insectivore); a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Fawn Roundleaf Bat
Scientific nameHipposideros cervinus
GroupMammals
FamilyHipposideridae
Observation recordsSoutheast Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Central Java
Linked habitatsTropical Rainforests
Taxonomic groupChiroptera
GBIF records127 human-observation records, 2016–2026
Data retrieved2026-09-23
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeCarnivore (meat-eater) — insect-eater: small beetles and moths (insectivore) · Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo)
ReproductionGiving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web
ActiveNocturnal (active at night) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt
In this guide (13)
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

What is the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

Fawn Roundleaf Bat refers to Hipposideros cervinus, in the genus Hipposideros, family Hipposideridae, and order Chiroptera. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

The fawn roundleaf bat is a hipposiderid recorded across parts of Southeast Asia and Australia; colour alone is unreliable for similar bats.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

Habitat and field observations of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat

Fawn roundleaf bats often roost in caves and are also recorded from tree hollows or old mines. Reports describe small insects taken below forest cover and near water.

Evidence: GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 127 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Southeast Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Central Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

Watch from a distance, do not feed, and avoid sharing precise locations of vulnerable dens or resting sites. Do not try to catch or touch wild mammals. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Fawn Roundleaf Bat with Diadem Roundleaf Bat, Lesser false vampire bat, Large Flying-fox. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Explore related habitats

These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.

Scientific classification of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderChiroptera
FamilyHipposideridae
GenusHipposideros
SpeciesHipposideros cervinus

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Fawn Roundleaf Bat

What is the scientific name of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

The scientific name of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat is Hipposideros cervinus, in the family Hipposideridae and the order Chiroptera.

What kind of animal is the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

The Fawn Roundleaf Bat is a mammal in the family Hipposideridae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a insect-eater: small beetles and moths (insectivore).

Where does the Fawn Roundleaf Bat live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat summarised in this guide mainly come from Southeast Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Central Java. That list is not a complete range map.

Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.

What does the Fawn Roundleaf Bat eat?

The Fawn Roundleaf Bat is a insect-eater: small beetles and moths (insectivore). That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo).

How does the Fawn Roundleaf Bat reproduce?

The Fawn Roundleaf Bat reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Is the Fawn Roundleaf Bat nocturnal?

The cited source records the Fawn Roundleaf Bat as nocturnal (active at night). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt.

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What is the scientific classification of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat?

Scientific classification of the Fawn Roundleaf Bat: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Chiroptera, family Hipposideridae, genus Hipposideros, species Hipposideros cervinus.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the Fawn Roundleaf Bat endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Fawn Roundleaf Bat is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Fawn Roundleaf Bat is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts ↗
  4. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  5. Species account — background reading ↗
  6. Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo) ↗
  7. Animal Diversity Web ↗
  8. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt ↗
  9. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  10. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Fawn Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros cervinus). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hipposideros-cervinus/