Brown Long-eared Bat
Plecotus auritus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Chiroptera · Vespertilionidae
About
The brown long-eared bat or common long-eared bat is a small Eurasian insectivorous bat. It has distinctive ears, long and with a distinctive fold. It is extremely similar to the much rarer grey long-eared bat, which was only validated as a distinct species in the 1960s. An adult brown long-eared bat has a body length of 4.5–4.8 cm, a tail of 4.1–4.6 cm, and a forearm length of 4–4.2 cm. The ears are 3.3–3.9 cm in length, and readily distinguish the long-eared bats from most other bat species. They are relatively slow flyers compared to other bat species.
Fun Fact
Brown long-eared bats have ears nearly as long as their bodies, and they can hear a moth's wingbeat from over a metre away — when roosting, they tuck their ears under their wings to conserve heat.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Woodlands and gardens
Diet
Insectivore
Lifespan
5-15 years
Threats
- Illegal Logging
- Habitat Fragmentation