{{Short description|Species of bat}} {{speciesbox | name = Hairless bat | image = Naked-bulldog-bat-2 LTM.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Senawi, J. |author2=Csorba, G. |author3=Bumrungsri, S. |author4=Francis, C. |author5=Bates, P.J.J. |author6=Gumal, M. |author7=Kingston, T. |date=2019 |title=''Cheiromeles torquatus'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T4601A22035361 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T4601A22035361.en |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Cheiromeles | species = torquatus | authority = Horsfield, 1824 | synonyms = | range_map = Range_Cheiromeles_torquatus.png }}

The '''hairless bat''' ('''''Cheiromeles torquatus'''''), also called the '''naked bulldog bat'''<ref name=":0">Leong, T. M., et al. (2009). [https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/nature_in_singapore/online_jurnal/2009/2009nis215-230.pdf The naked bulldog bat, ''Cheiromeles torquatus'' in Singapore—past and present records, with highlights on its unique morphology (Microchiroptera: Molossidae.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104848/http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/nature_in_singapore/online_jurnal/2009/2009nis215-230.pdf|date=2015-04-02}} ''Nature in Singapore'' 2, 215-30.</ref> and '''greater naked bat''',<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" /> is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. The generic name ''Cheiromeles'' comes from the Greek word ''cheir'' (Greek for hand) and the species name is derived from the Latin ''torques'' (Latin for collar).<ref name=":0" />

This bat is a hawking insectivore, using echolocation to find insects on the wing.<ref>Kingston, T., et al. (2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110759/http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/84/1/205 Alternation of echolocation calls in 5 species of aerial-feeding insectivorous bats from Malaysia.] ''Journal of Mammalogy'' 84(1), 205-15.</ref>

The hairless bat is mostly hairless, but does have short, bristly hairs around its neck, on its front toes, and around the throat sac, along with fine hairs on the head and tail membrane.<ref name="ADW">{{cite web |last=Thomson |first=P. |year=2002 |title=''Cheiromeles torquatus'' |url=https://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cheiromeles_torquatus/ |access-date=29 October 2013 |publisher=Animal Diversity Web}}</ref>

== Habitat, distribution and range == This species is predominantly concentrated in the South East Asian regions of Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Java, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo. Some are also found in the Island surrounding Philippines.<ref>Clements, R., Sodhi, N. S., Schilthuizen, M. and Ng, P. K. L. 2006. Limestone Karsts of Southeast Asia: Imperiled Arks of Biodiversity. ''BioScience'' 56(9): 733–742</ref> There is no current estimate of population size as it is highly dispersed and rarely found. It inhabits mainly lowlands, marshes, rocky surfaces with holes and crevices, dens, farms and trees. It is a colonial species, roosting in groups to conserve energy. It is typically harmless but is considered a pest in some rice growing areas.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />

== Description == Its dark grey skin is largely hairless, but may have some fine patches of hair around the throat and under hind foot. They scent mark their territories with secretions from glands located at the tip of the neck. Sometimes these secretory glands have sub maxillary pouches located either inside the ears or beneath the neck region used for 'brooding' and 'nursing' purposes.<ref name=":1" /> It possesses a broad face, robust jaw, wide wings and protruding tail that is longer than the hind limb. The first toe bears a nail rather than a claw, and is opposable. The dental formula is 1/1, 1/1, 1/2, 3/2 with small incisors and a diastema forms between upper and lower incisors.<ref name=":1">Lekagul, B., J. McNeely. 1977. Mammals of Thailand. Bangkok: Sahakarnbhat.</ref>

== Reproduction == ''C.torquatus'' produces an average of two litters a year and as soon as they are born, the mother leaves them at the roost to hunt.<ref>Leong, T. M., S. C. Teo & K. K. P. Lim, 2009. The Naked Bulldog Bat, ''Cheiromeles torquatus'' in Singapore — past and present records, with highlights on its unique morphology (Microchiroptera: Molossidae). ''Nature in Singapore'', 2: 215–230</ref> Males typically do not invest in parental care.

== Behavior == They are nocturnal, migratory and colonial. Hunting starts early in the morning and they typically prey on larger insects than other bats.<ref>Freeman, P. March 31, 1981. A Multivariate Study of the Family Molossidae (Mammalia, Chiroptera): Morphology, Ecology, Evolution. FIELDIANA Zoology, New Series, No. 7: 87-88.</ref>

== Threats == The species' population is decreasing due to roost sites being destroyed. Additionally, habitat fragmentation causes individuals to relocate to different regions, resulting in isolation. Some indigenous Malay people eat these bats as delicacy and kill them in large numbers.<ref>Leong, T. M., S. C. Teo & K. K. P. Lim, 2009. The Naked Bulldog Bat, ''Cheiromeles torquatus'' in Singapore — past and present records, with highlights on its unique morphology (Microchiroptera: Molossidae). ''Nature in Singapore'', 2: 215–230. [PDF, 1.91 MB]</ref> This is drastically reducing the overall population of these bats, making them vulnerable.<ref>Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. "2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species" (On-line). Accessed October 11, 2001 at <code><nowiki>https://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=4601</nowiki></code>.</ref>

== Conservation actions == Despite their role in pest control, their population is in danger due to human activity. Population recovery is being attempted in some regions and some are being placed in protected areas with ongoing habitat reconstruction. Attempts are also being made to educate indigenous people about their ecological importance.<ref>Nowak, R. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|25em}}

==External links== *[https://bio.acousti.ca/classification/cheiromeles-torquatus Sound recordings of ''Cheiromeles torquatus'' on BioAcoustica]

{{Molossidae}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q1832731}}

Category:Cheiromeles Category:Bats of Southeast Asia Category:Bats of Borneo Category:Bats of Indonesia Category:Bats of Malaysia Category:Bats of the Philippines Category:Mammals of Brunei Category:Mammals of Myanmar Category:Mammals of Thailand Category:Fauna of Java Category:Fauna of Sumatra Category:Least concern biota of Asia Category:Mammals described in 1824 Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot