Brandt's bat
Myotis brandtii
Brandt's bat is a small member of the genus Myotis with a wingspan of 19 to 24 centimeters. Its dorsal fur is brownish, often with golden tips, while the ventral side is greyish-white. It strongly resembles the whiskered bat morphologically but can be distinguished by the shape of the penis in males and specific dental characteristics.
Details
Identification
Golden-brown hair tips on the back, light belly, club-shaped thickened penis in males, ears with a pointed tragus.
Social behavior
Forms maternity colonies of 20 to 60 females for raising young; males usually live solitarily during the summer.
Diet
Insectivore; feeds on moths, mosquitoes, caddisflies, beetles, and occasionally spiders.
Hunting strategy
Slow, maneuverable hunting flight at low altitudes along vegetation or over water; also utilizes gleaning.
Overwintering
Hibernates in humid caves, tunnels, cellars, or rock crevices at temperatures between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important regulator of insect populations in forest ecosystems and along water margins.
Natural predators
Owls (e.g., tawny owl), birds of prey, martens, and domestic cats.
Competitor species
Whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus), Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii).
Ecosystem service
Biological pest control through the consumption of forest pests.
Threats
Loss of roosts due to building renovation, use of pesticides, habitat fragmentation, and forestry monocultures.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
The most important feature of males is the club-shaped thickened penis; in the upper jaw, the third premolar (P3) is almost as large as the second (P2); the tragus is narrow and about half as long as the ear.
Habitat
Strongly associated with forests; prefers structurally rich deciduous and mixed forests, often near standing or flowing water; occurs up to mountain altitudes.