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Brandt's bat

©Amy Lewis

Brandt's bat

The small, shaggy-furred Brandt's bat roosts in all sorts of houses, old or modern. It is similar to the whiskered bat and they often roost together, but in separate colonies. It feeds low to the ground in woodland and near water.

Scientific name

Myotis brandtii

When to see

April to October

Species information

Statistics

Length: 3.8-5.0cm
Wingspan: 21-24cm
Weight: 4.5-9.5g
Average lifespan: up to 40 years
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

About

The Brandt's bat is a small bat that is very similar to the whiskered bat; in fact, these two species were only separated in 1970. All UK bats are nocturnal, feeding on midges, moths and other flying insects that they find in the dark by using echolocation. Brandt's bats emerge soon after sunset and feed on moths and small insects low to the ground in woodland and near water. They roost in all kinds of houses and may use bat boxes. During the summer, females form maternity colonies and have just a single pup. Brandt's bats hibernate in caves and tunnels over winter.

How to identify

The Brandt's bat is a small bat with shaggy, dark grey or light brown fur on its back. Its face is pinkish and the fur on its belly is pale grey. It is very similar in appearance to the Whiskered bat, but is slightly larger.

Distribution

Found throughout England and Wales, but more common in the north and west.

Did you know?

Brandt’s and whiskered bats may roost in the same roof space, using separate parts for their individual colonies. They can also be found with either pipistrelles or brown long-eared bats.