Habitat
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, including deserts, rocky hills, and savannas in North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. They prefer roosting in caves, rock crevices, and abandoned buildings, where they can escape the heat and find shelter.
Diet
The Greater mouse-tailed bat feeds mainly on insects such as moths, beetles, and flies, which it catches in mid-air. They use echolocation to hunt at night, often in open areas near their roosts, and feeding activity peaks during warmer months when insect populations are high.
Behavior
These bats are nocturnal, emerging at dusk to forage in groups, and they form colonies in dark, sheltered roosts for protection. They exhibit territorial behavior around roosting areas and use high-pitched echolocation calls for navigation and prey detection. Social interactions include grooming and huddling to maintain body temperature in colonies.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Greater mouse-tailed bat is Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat disturbance from human activities and roost site destruction.