Creature Profile
Bechstein's bat is a small mammal from the family Vespertilionidae. It weighs about half an ounce, with a wingspan up to 11.8 inches and a body length of up to 2.2 inches. This bat has long, wide ears and a pointy tragus, a part of its ear that helps it hear better. Its fur is soft and pale brown with a reddish tint on its back, and its belly is light gray. Young bats are gray and look ashy. Bechstein's bats have short, wide wings that are gray or light brown.
Bechstein's bats eat insects like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. They hunt at night by flying low and grabbing prey from the ground or branches. These bats live in mature forests with plenty of trees, including mixed forests and broadleaf woods. They also use gardens, pastures, and plantations. In winter, they hibernate in hollow trees or underground places, and in summer, they roost in tree holes or buildings. Mating happens between fall and spring, and females give birth to one baby in late June. The baby starts flying about two months after it's born.
Bechstein's bats face big challenges like losing their woodland homes, farming changes, human disturbance, and forest cutting. They are protected by national laws in many countries and listed in agreements like the Bonn and Bern Conventions and the EU Habitats and Species Directive. Some forests they live in are protected by Natura 2000, and there are special projects to help them. Even with these efforts, there are only a few colonies left, and they are spread out, making it harder for the species to recover.
Wikipedia Article
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Wikipedia Article Copyright Notice: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bechstein's bat". |
November 16, 2024
Glenn, C. R. 2006. "Earth's Endangered Creatures - Bechstein's Bat Facts" (Online). Accessed 12/13/2024 at https://earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?sp=11414&ID=6.
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