British Bats
Natterer's Bat Myotis natterei
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STATS Head-body Length- 4.2-5cm Weight- 5-12g Wingspan- 22-27cm Tail Length- 3.2-4.3cm |
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DESCRIPTION- The Natterer's Bat is a medium sized bat, the long fur being a grey-brown colour on the back, and a paler grey on the undersides. The muzzle is partially bare and is noticeably pink. The ears are large and oval in shape, with the tragus being long and narrow. The wing membranes that appear slightly pink are broad, beginning at the toes. It is normally a slow flyer with good manoeuvrability, and is able to hover for short periods of time. The Natterer's Bat possesses a few features that distinguish it from other bats. On the tail membrane there are 'whiskers' of very fine hair which form a short fringe. The exact purpose of this fringe is uncertain, but it appears to be a sensory device that helps the bat feels insects that it has caught in its tail membrane during flight. Also distinctive is the calcar, which is a 'S' shape. This causes the outline of the tail membrane to appear heart shaped when the tail membrane is outstretched during flight, and is a useful guide to its identification.
DISTRIBUTION- The Natterer's Bat has a very widespread distribution in Europe. It is found throughout Britain.
HABITATS- The Natterer's Bat was originally a bat of deciduous woodland, but it has adapted well to new habitats and can be found in open woodland, parkland, gardens and farmland. It has a preference for areas with open water or marsh. In summer it roosts in tree cavities, rock cavities, or nest boxes. In winter it hibernates either singly or in small groups in caves, cellars or in mines.
LIFESPAN- maximum of 16 years
BREEDING- Mating occurs throughout the autumn and until the spring. The nurseries are formed in tree holes, sometimes in buildings, from April onwards. They normally contain somewhere between 20 and 80 females. A single young is born in June and is weaned at about 6 week's of age.
BEHAVIOUR- One of the last species to begin hibernating, it often does not begin hibernating until -sunset and hunts from ground level to heights of about 10 metres. When leaving a roosting location it does a characteristic somersault into the air.