Overview

Kerivoula lanosa – (A. Smith, 1847)

ANIMALIA – CHORDATA – MAMMALIA – CHIROPTERA – VESPERTILIONIDAE – Kerivoula – lanosa 

Common Names: Lesser Woolly Bat (English), Klein wolhaarvlermuis (Afrikaans)
Synonyms:  brunnea Dobson, 1878; harrisoni O. Thomas, 1901; muscilla O. Thomas, 1906; lucia Hinton, 1920; lueia P. S. Kershaw, 1922 [incorrect subsequent spelling]; bellula Aellen, 1959 (see Mammal Diversity Database, 2025) 

Taxonomic Note: 
There are four subspecies recognised across its range (Cotterill 2013), of which two occur in the assessment region (Meester et al. 1986). Kerivoula lanosa lanosa (A. Smith 1847) is endemic to the Cape provinces of South Africa (Cotterill 2013); while K. l. lucia Hinton 1920 occurs from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa through to southern and central Africa (Cotterill 2013). However, owing to the limited number of specimens available, the validity of these subspecies cannot currently be determined. Furthermore, the taxonomic relationships within the African species of Kerivoula have yet to be determined (Monadjem et al. 2020; Cotterill 2013). Further molecular work should be performed to resolve the possible species complex. 

Red List Status: LC – Least Concern (IUCN version 3.1) 

Assessment Information

Assessors: Richards, L.R.¹ & da Silva, J.M.² 

Reviewers: Smith, C.³ & Moir, M.⁴ 

Institutions: ¹Durban Natural Science Museum, ²South African National Biodiversity Institute, ³Endangered Wildlife Trust, and ⁴Stellenbosch University 

Previous Assessors and Reviewers: Monadjem, A., Cohen, L., Jacobs, D., MacEwan, K., Richards, L.R., Schoeman, C., Sethusa, T. & Taylor, P. 

Previous Contributors: Child, M.F., Raimondo, D. & Page-Nicholson, S. 

Assessment Rationale 

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution (estimated extent of occurrence is 487,517 km²), its occurrence in multiple protected areas across its range, recent occurrence records that show a range expansion in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa (Moir et al. 2020), and because there are no significant threats that are thought to be causing widespread decline. The 2004 assessment listed the species as Near Threatened due to chiropteran experts rarely observing this species. Since then, it has been discovered that the species avoids mist nets and is more easily sampled using harp traps. As there is no restriction to its habitat availability in the assessment region, it is widespread across the continent, and due to this species having been recorded a number of times in harp traps since 2008, the population is considered stable. However, further field surveys are required to collect more comprehensive data on population size, trends and local threats. If research estimates a mature population size of < 10,000 and a net declining population trend, then this species will qualify as Vulnerable C2a(i) and will thus need reassessment. Additionally taxonomic resolution is required.

Regional population effects: This species is suspected to occur as one continuous subpopulation within the assessment region and into the neighbouring countries of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. However, it has low wing loading (Moir et al. 2020) so rescue effects are assumed to be limited. 

Reasons for Change 

Reason(s) for Change in Red List Category from the Previous Assessment: No change 

Red List Index 

Red List Index: No change

Recommended citation: Richards LR & da Silva JM. 2025. A conservation assessment of Kerivoula lanosa. In Patel T, Smith C, Roxburgh L, da Silva JM & Raimondo D, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.

Regional Distribution and occurrence

Geographic Range 

This bat is widely but sparsely recorded across sub-Saharan Africa (Cotterill 2013), from Liberia and Guinea in the west, to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and ranging as far south as southern South Africa. Habitat models indicate it could occur in the northernmost parts of Namibia (Monadjem et al. 2020). In the assessment region, the species ranges from Knysna in the Western Cape, northwards through eastern KwaZulu-Natal, through Eswatini and eastern Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and into Zimbabwe, northern Botswana, Zambia, southern Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi (Monadjem et al. 2020). The type material is from Knysna (Monadjem et al. 2020). The estimated extent of occurrence is 487,517 km². 

Elevation / Depth / Depth Zones 

Elevation Lower Limit (in metres above sea level): 5 m asl (Monadjem et al. 2024) 

Elevation Upper Limit (in metres above sea level): 2,617 m asl (Monadjem et al. 2024) 

Depth Lower Limit (in metres below sea level): N/A 

Depth Upper Limit (in metres below sea level): N/A 

Depth Zone: N/A 

Map

Figure 1. Distribution records for Lesser Woolly Bat (Kerivoula lanosa) within the assessment region (South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho). Note that distribution data is obtained from multiple sources and records have not all been individually verified.

Biogeographic Realms 

Biogeographic Realm: (Not specified) 

Occurrence 

Countries of Occurrence 

Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) Occurrence 

Large Marine Ecosystems: N/A 

FAO Area Occurrence 

FAO Marine Areas: N/A 

Climate change

There are no studies on the impacts of climate change on this species. It is a widespread species. Within its range in the assessment region, there will be an increase in intense rainfall events, while temperatures are predicted to increase in line with global averages, with drought indexes also increasing (Engelbrecht et al. 2024). Currently there is not enough information to predict the impacts of climate change on this species. 

Population Information

Abundance is uncertain and the species is poorly represented in collections possibly because their day roosts are hard to find and they seem to be able to avoid being captured in mist nets (Cotterill 2013). For example, only 37 specimens were examined in Monadjem et al. (2020). It does not form large colonies but rather breeds in pairs in old weaver nests and other roosts, making quantification of the population difficult. However, it is likely that, similarly to K. argentata, it has been overlooked because it avoids mist nets (Monadjem et al. 2020). Surveys using harp traps and acoustic monitoring are needed. Research is needed to quantify population size and trends. 

Current population trend: Unknown 

Continuing decline in mature individuals? Unknown 

Extreme fluctuations in the number of subpopulations: Cannot be determined 

Continuing decline in number of subpopulations: Unknown 

All individuals in one subpopulation: Presumed to be single metapopulation 

Number of mature individuals in largest subpopulation: Unknown 

Number of Subpopulations: Presumed to be single metapopulation 

Quantitative Analysis 

Probability of extinction in the wild within 3 generations or 10 years, whichever is longer, maximum 100 years: Unknown, but not likely 

Probability of extinction in the wild within 5 generations or 20 years, whichever is longer, maximum 100 years: Unknown 

Probability of extinction in the wild within 100 years: Unknown 

Population Genetics

Molecular information on this species is minimal; yet needed to help verify the significance of potential subspecies or genetically distinct populations. Presumed clinal variation across its range has been attributed to observed morphological differences between animals from the Cape Provinces of South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal. While this variation might not be significant at the subspecific or ESU level, it could indicate the presence of different subpopulations.  

Estimates of effective population size are not possible given that the general abundance of this species in the region is unknown. 

Habitats and ecology

While very little information is available on the preferred habitat of this species (Monadjem et al. 2020), it has been recorded from a variety of habitats (Cotterill 2013). In southern Africa, it has been recorded from evergreen forest, riparian forest and both wet and dry savannah woodlands (Cotterill 1996; Monadjem et al. 2020). They are associated with riverine habitats in drier regions. They have often been encountered roosting in abandoned bird nests (Roberts 1951; Taylor 1998; Cotterill 2013), such as weaver and sunbird nests (Oschadleus 2008). Considering the abundance of these nests, it is not likely that their distribution is restricted by roost availability (Monadjem et al. 2020). The distribution of this species across southern and eastern Zimbabwe and extending south to the Soutpansberg and Mpumalanga could reflect an association with patchy afromontane habitat along the ‘Limpopo Escarpment Extension’ (Cotterill 1996). Limited information is available on the diet of this species, but it is a clutter-edge forager (Monadjem et al. 2020). Its frosted pelage provides camouflage when roosting and its woolly texture perhaps provides additional insulation from low temperatures when roosting in foliage (Cotterill 2013). 

The species appears somewhat adaptable and capable of utilising the semi-built environment, as it has been recorded flying and foraging around swimming pools in the Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape (McGee et al. 2022). 

Ecosystem and cultural services: As this species is insectivorous, it may contribute to controlling insect populations that damage crops (Boyles et al. 2011; Kunz et al. 2011). Ensuring a healthy population of insectivorous bats can thus decrease the need for pesticides.  

IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme 

Life History 

Generation Length: Unknown 

Age at Maturity: Female or unspecified: Unknown 

Age at Maturity: Male: Unknown 

Size at Maturity (in cms): Female: Forearm length = 3.23 cm; Total length = 8.20 cm (DNSM Records) 

Size at Maturity (in cms): Sexes combined: Mean forearm length = 3.15 ± 1.23 cm; Mean total length = 7.61 ± 0.63 cm (Monadjem et al. 2020) 

Longevity: Unknown 

Average Reproductive Age:  Unknown 

Maximum Size (in cms):  Unknown 

Size at Birth (in cms):  Unknown 

Gestation Time:  Unknown 

Reproductive Periodicity:  Unknown 

Average Annual Fecundity or Litter Size: Unknown 

Natural Mortality: Unknown 

Does the species lay eggs? No 

Does the species give birth to live young: Yes 

Does the species exhibit parthenogenesis: No 

Does the species have a free-living larval stage? No 

Does the species require water for breeding? No 

Movement Patterns 

Movement Patterns: Unknown 

Congregatory: Yes, can roost collectively in bird nests 

System: Terrestrial 

General Use and Trade Information

There is no evidence to suggest that the species is traded. 

Local Livelihood: No evidence 

National Commercial Value: Potentially yes as it is an insectivorous species 

International Commercial Value:  Potentially yes as it is an insectivorous species 

End Use: None reported 

Is there harvest from captive/cultivated sources of this species? None reported 

Harvest Trend Comments: N/A 

Threats

There appear to be no major threats to this species (ACR 2024). However, within the assessment region, deforestation may cause local declines but the severity of deforestation on the population overall is unknown. For example, habitat loss resulting from crop cultivation and afforestation is occurring in KwaZulu-Natal (Jewitt et al. 2015, 2018). Logging of indigenous trees may lead to localised loss of roosting sites. 

Conservation

This species is recorded from numerous protected areas within the assessment region, such as Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, Motlatse Canyon Provincial Park and Kruger National Park in Limpopo; iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal, Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape, and Garden Route National Park in the Western Cape. While no specific interventions are possible until further research has assessed the severity of local threats and identified important subpopulations outside protected areas, this species would benefit from further protected area expansion, such as that being planned to link Maputaland to the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (Smith et al. 2008).

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners: 

• Conserve forested habitats, particularly afromontane forests, where the species has been recorded.  
• Where possible, promote green corridors between forested habitats.  Reduce pesticide use in agricultural landscapes, especially those neighbouring protected areas. 
• Identify new colonies and roost sites. 

Research priorities: 

• Surveys are needed to identify further subpopulations, quantify the size of the population and determine population trend in the assessment region. 
• Use harp traps (instead of mist nets) and acoustic monitoring for field surveys (Monadjem et al. 2020). Further studies are needed to better understand its taxonomic status (ACR 2024). 
• Further studies are also required on the species’ feeding ecology and reproductive behaviour. 

Encouraged citizen actions: 

• Citizens can assist the conservation of the species by reporting sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iNaturalist and MammalMAP) and therefore contribute to an understanding of the species distribution. 

Bibliography

ACR. 2024. African Chiroptera Report 20125. AfricanBats NPC Pretoria, South Africa.    

Boyles JG, Cryan PM, McCracken GF, Kunz TH. 2011. Economic importance of bats in agriculture. Science 332: 41–42. 

Cotterill, F. P. D. 1996. New distribution records of insectivorous bats of the families Nycteridae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae (Microchiroptera: Mammalia) in Zimbabwe. Arnoldia Zimbabwe 10(8): 71-89. 

Cotterill, F.P.D. 2013. Kerivoula lanosa Lesser woolly bat; pp 727-728. In: Happold D. C. D. (editor) 2013. Mammals of Africa: Volume 4. Bloomsbury Publishing, London. 

Engelbrecht, F.A., Steinkopf, J., Padavatan, J. and Midgley, G.F. 2024. Projections of future climate change in Southern Africa and the potential for regional tipping points. In Sustainability of Southern African Ecosystems under Global Change: Science for Management and Policy Interventions (pp. 169-190). Cham: Springer International Publishing. 

Jewitt D, Goodman PS, Erasmus BFN, O’Connor TG, Witkowski ETF. 2015. Systematic land-cover change in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: implications for biodiversity. South African Journal of Science 111: 1–9. 

Jewitt, D., 2018. Vegetation type conservation targets, status and level of protection in KwaZulu-Natal in 2016. Bothalia-African Biodiversity & Conservation, 48(1), pp.1-10.  

Kunz TH, Braun de Torrez E, Bauer D, Lobova T, Fleming TH. 2011. Ecosystem services provided by bats. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1223: 1–38. 

Mammal Diversity Database. (2025). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 2.2). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15007505   

McGee, J.E., Bennett, V.J. and Maartens, S.J., 2023. The use of swimming pools by bats on a game reserve in South Africa. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 87(8), p.e22479.  

Meester, J.A.J., Rautenbach, I.L., Dippenaar, N.J. and Baker, C.M. 1986. Classification of southern African mammals. Transvaal Museum Monographs 5: 1–359. 

Moir, M.I., Richards, L.R., Rambau, R.V. and Cherry, M.I., 2020. Bats of Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal forests, South Africa: diversity, call library and range extensions. Acta Chiropterologica, 22(2), pp.365-381. Monadjem, A., Taylor, P.J., Cotterill, F.P.D. and Schoeman M.C. 2010. Bats of Southern and Central Africa: a biogeographic and taxonomic synthesis. University of Witwatersrand Press, Johannesburg. 

Monadjem, A., Taylor, P.J., Cotterill, F.P.D. and Schoeman M.C. 2020. Bats of Southern and Central Africa: a biogeographic and taxonomic synthesis, Second Edition. University of Witwatersrand Press, Johannesburg.  

Monadjem, A., Montauban, C., Webala, P.W., Laverty, T.M., Bakwo-Fils, E.M., Torrent, L., Tanshi, I., Kane, A., Rutrough, A.L., Waldien, D.L. and Taylor, P.J., 2024. African bat database: curated data of occurrences, distributions and conservation metrics for sub-Saharan bats. Scientific Data, 11(1), p.1309.  

Oschadleus HD. 2008. Bird nests as roost sites for Kerivoula bats in southern Africa. African Journal of Ecology 46: 693–696. 

Roberts, A. 1951. The Mammals of South Africa. Central New Agency, Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Smith RJ et a. 2008. Designing a transfrontier conservation landscape for the Maputaland centre of endemism using biodiversity, economic and threat data. Biological Conservation 141: 2127–2138. 

Taylor, P. 1998. The Smaller Mammals of KwaZulu-Natal. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.