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PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA

Lesser false vampire bat

Lesser false vampire bat (Megaderma spasma). The lesser false vampire bat does not drink blood; accounts describe cave and tree-hollow roosts and an insect diet.

PanduanHewan·Updated 23 September 2026·Megaderma spasma
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.
Photograph of Lesser false vampire bat (Megaderma spasma).
(c) Teja Yantrapalli, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Photograph cropped for layout.

What is the Lesser false vampire bat?

Lesser false vampire bat refers to Megaderma spasma, in the genus Megaderma, family Megadermatidae, 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 Lesser false vampire bat?

The lesser false vampire bat does not drink blood; accounts describe cave and tree-hollow roosts and an insect diet.

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 Lesser false vampire bat

This bat roosts in caves and tree hollows. Feeding accounts include large arthropods and occasional small vertebrates; 'false vampire' does not mean it drinks blood.

Evidence: GBIF species treatments — natural-history accounts ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Lesser false vampire bat?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 124 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 South East Sulawesi, Sulawesi Utara, Kalimantan Tengah. 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 Lesser false vampire 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 Lesser false vampire bat with Large Flying-fox, Lesser Long-tongued Fruit Bat, Tatar Horseshoe Bat. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

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 ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.