EN

Timorese Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus montanus

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Rhinolophus montanus faces severe population declines primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion across its montane forest range in Southeast Asia. Cave disturbance from tourism, mining, and human encroachment disrupts critical roosting sites essential for reproduction and hibernation. Agricultural expansion and logging operations continue to fragment the species' already limited high-altitude habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable temperature and humidity conditions beyond the bats' adaptive capacity.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane forests and associated cave systems at elevations typically between 1,000-2,500 meters across Southeast Asia. The bats require both intact forest canopy for foraging and stable cave environments for roosting, making them particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorWetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorRocky areas· majorCaves and subterranean habitats· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in RHINOLOPHIDAE

EN

Willard's Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus willardi

Declining
EN

Kahuzi Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus kahuzi

Declining
EN

Rhinolophus proconsulis

Unknown
VU

Cohen's Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus cohenae

Declining

Threatened in Timor-Leste

Humped BladderwortCR

Humped Bladderwort

Utricularia gibba

Unknown
VU

Silvertip Shark

Carcharhinus albimarginatus

Declining
Parantica timoricaEN

Parantica timorica

Unknown
Walking Maidenhair FernCR

Walking Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum philippense

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Timorese Horseshoe Bat classified as Endangered?
Timorese Horseshoe Bat is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Rhinolophus montanus faces severe population declines primarily due to extensive deforestation and habitat conversion across its montane forest range in Southeast Asia. Cave disturbance from tourism, mining, and human encroachment disrupts critical roosting sites essential for reproduction and hibernation. Agricultural expansion and logging operations continue to fragment the species' already limited high-altitude habitat, while climate change threatens to shift suitable temperature and humidity conditions beyond the bats' adaptive capacity.
Where does Timorese Horseshoe Bat live?
Timorese Horseshoe Bat occurs in Timor-Leste. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Timorese Horseshoe Bat?
The main threats to Timorese Horseshoe Bat are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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