Predation of pitfall-trapped rodents by the ghost bat, Macroderma gigas

Abstract

Pitfall trapping for wildlife research is accompanied by the risk of predation of captured animals. However, predation events are sometimes difficult to observe and not subsequently reported. We describe the first known records of predation of pitfall-trapped animals by ghost bats. We discuss these observations in the context of ghost bat hunting behaviour and the implications for pitfall trapping studies in northern Australia.