Brown long-eared bat
Plecotus auritus
The brown long-eared bat is a medium-sized bat species characterized by its exceptionally large ears, which are almost as long as its body. It primarily inhabits open deciduous and mixed forests, as well as gardens and parks with mature trees. The species is an agile flyer, capable of catching insects in flight or gleaning them from surfaces like leaves. During the day, they roost in tree hollows, bat boxes, or quiet attics.
Details
Identification
Very large ears (31–41 mm), long tragus, brownish dorsal fur, long thumb (> 6 mm) with a strong claw.
Social behavior
Forms small maternity colonies of 10 to 50 females; males often live solitarily during the summer.
Diet
Mainly moths, but also beetles, flies, mosquitoes, earwigs, and spiders.
Hunting strategy
Combination of aerial hawking and gleaning prey using passive hearing of crawling sounds.
Overwintering
Hibernation in cool, humid sites such as caves, mines, or cellars at temperatures of 2–7 °C.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important regulator of insect populations, especially of forestry-relevant pests.
Natural predators
Owls (especially Barn Owl and Tawny Owl), domestic cats, martens.
Competitor species
Grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) in regions with habitat overlap.
Ecosystem service
Biological pest control by consuming insects in forests and orchards.
Threats
Loss of roosts due to building renovation, use of insecticides, intensification of forestry.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Extremely large ears (31–41 mm) joined at the base; long thumb (> 6.5 mm) with a long claw (> 2 mm); narrow tragus.
Habitat
Forest-dwelling species; prefers structure-rich deciduous and mixed forests, parks, gardens, and orchards; found in mountain regions up to 2000 m.