Perhaps the species' most famous roosting and nesting sites, and largest colonies, are at Mount Etna caves, near Rockhampton in Queensland. It is Australia's only carnivorous bat, eating large insects, reptiles, frogs, birds, small mammals and sometimes other bat species. Much of this prey is captured on the ground. Mating takes place in July or August. Gestation lasts about three months and females bear a single young between September and November.
Mothers form nursery colonies separate from the males while the young are being weaned.
Juveniles then hunt with their mothers until they become completely independent. Threats The caves at Mount Etna, critical bat habitat, have been under pressure for a number of years because of the activities of limestone mining companies. Perth Zoo Involvement Perth Zoo received its first Ghost Bat colony about 20 years ago. They are located in the Nocturnal House in an enclosure which is a replica of an Australian mine shaft.