Painted Fire Bat (Kerivolia picta)

Painted bats are nocturnal or crepuscular. Small groups of these animals are often found in unusual roosting sites such as in the suspended nests of weaver finches and sunbirds, banana tree leaves, or under the eaves of huts. Painted bats have been known to roost in pairs or in groups of only 2–6 bats. They apparently aestivate during the day, as they are relatively sluggish when disturbed. The bright and broken coloration of these bats may be a form of camouflage to protect them, as they have been reported to blend in with dried leaves and flowers when they roost. They live on small insects. Hunting flights last around 1–2 hours.