### Identification The Sundevall’s Leaf-nosed Bat (*Hipposideros caffer*) is a master of intricate detail. Small and delicate, with a forearm length of 42–54 mm, its hallmark is the complex, horseshoe-shaped "leaf" of skin on its nose. Unlike true Horseshoe Bats, it lacks a pointed "sella" or "lancet," appearing more blunt-faced. Look for its rounded ears, which lack a tragus, and its remarkably soft, long fur. This species is famous for its color dimorphism: while most are a somber brownish-gray, some individuals appear in a startlingly vibrant "rufous morph," glowing with a deep sunset-orange hue.
### Habitat & Range This is one of Africa’s most widespread bats, ranging from the southern Cape up to Ethiopia and across to West Africa. They are incredibly adaptable, haunting everything from lush coastal forests and moist savannas to arid scrublands. For roosting, they are "cavernicolous," favoring the cool humidity of caves, abandoned mines, and culverts. However, keep an eye on human structures; they are frequently found tucked into the dark, quiet rafters of thatched bushveld lodges.
### Behaviour Highly social, Sundevall’s Leaf-nosed Bats roost in colonies ranging from a few dozen to several thousand. In the field, you’ll notice their "butterfly-like" flight—slow, highly maneuverable, and low to the ground. They are early emergers, often seen darting through the understory just after sunset. Unlike many other bats, they do not fold their ears when resting; they remain perpetually upright and alert.
### Diet These bats are specialized "aerial hawkers." They utilize high-duty cycle echolocation (at frequencies around 120–140 kHz) to pinpoint small insects, particularly moths, in cluttered environments. Their short, broad wings allow them to hover momentarily, enabling them to snatch a moth mid-air or glean a beetle directly from a leaf’s surface.
### Fascinating Fact That brilliant orange fur isn't always a choice! In large, poorly ventilated colonies, the concentrated ammonia vapors rising from their guano act as a chemical bleach, reacting with the melanin in their fur and turning the bats a fiery ginger over time.