A large sheath-tailed bat with the widest distribution of its genus, extending from South Asia to Australia and the Solomon Islands, divided into at least five subspecies depending on the region.
Relatively large for an emballonurid (forearm 63-68 mm). It possesses a throat pouch (more developed in males) that gives the genus its name, and wings that attach to the ankles rather than the tibia, unlike related species in the same region with which it could be confused.
Wide variety of habitats from South Asia (including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) through South-East Asia to New Guinea and Australia.
Insectivorous; hunts on the wing using echolocation.
Possesses a throat pouch, more developed in males, whose exact function is not fully understood, though it is linked to communication and courtship.
Species with a very wide distribution showing no signs of significant decline.
No major threats identified on a global scale.
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