In recent news, India’s first bamboo-dwelling bat with sticky disks was discovered near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya. The bat species is known as Eudiscopus denticulus, or more commonly referred to as the disk-footed bat. Its distinctive bright orange coloration and disk-like pads in its thumbs set it apart from other species. This unique creature has been found to roost in the internodal spaces of bamboo stems.
This particular species thrives in various localities including Southern China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. However, its discovery in Meghalaya marks a significant shift in its known habitat, which is about 1,000 km west of its nearest recorded habitat in Myanmar.
Status on the IUCN Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assigned the disk-footed bat the status of “Least Concern” on their Red List. This means that the species is not currently facing a significant threat of extinction.
The Impact on India’s Bat Species Count
The discovery of the disk-footed bat in Meghalaya has increased the state’s bat count to 66, the highest of any State in India. Moreover, the discovery has also added a new genus and species to the bat fauna of India, which now stands at a total of 130 bat species.
About Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Ri-Bhoi district near Lailad village, Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary spans over an area of 29 square kilometres and is one of Meghalaya’s most popular attractions. It falls within the Eastern Himalayan Global biodiversity hotspot, supporting a multitude of fauna species.
Among the animals, visitors might catch glimpses of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Indian Bison, and Himalayan Black Bear. Bird watchers can also look out for rare species like the Manipur Bush Quail, Rufous Necked Hornbill, and Brown Hornbill.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries in Meghalaya
Meghalaya is gifted with several other wildlife sanctuaries apart from Nongkhyllem. These include the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary, Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Baghmara Pitcher Plant Sanctuary. The Nokrek National Park is another significant attraction for wildlife enthusiasts in the state.
The discovery of the disk-footed bat reinforces the rich biodiversity present in Meghalaya and India at large. It also highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect and study our unique fauna.
