British Bats
Whiskered Bat Myotis mystacinus
| BAT STATS Head-Body Length- 35-48mm Wingspan- 190-220mm Weight- 4-8g Tail Length- 30-43mm |
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DESCRIPTION- The Whiskered Bat is the smallest of the Myotis species found in Britain. It is very similar in appearance to the Brandt's Bat and is easily confused with this species. While other British species of bat have bare of only thinly furred muzzles, the snout of the Whiskered Bat is well covered with hair, thus giving this species its name. The muzzle hair is often darkly coloured, making the snout appear especially prominent. The fur is long and shaggy over most of its body. There can be considerable variations in its colour, but in most individuals the dorsal colouring is usually a browny-grey, and the undersides are greyer. The wing membranes, and the long pointed ears are grey. The tragus is straight. The wingspan is about the same as that of blue tits, the wings are relatively narrow. In flight the Whiskered Bat is fast and agile. The feet are small.
DISTRIBUTION- The distribution of the Whiskered Bat is unclear because it is often confused with the Brandt's Bat. It appears to have a widespread distribution in Europe, being commonest in south and central Europe. It is thought to occur throughout Britain.
HABITAT- The Whiskered Bat is happy to live alongside man, and is often seen flying around buildings or street lamps. It can be seen in a variety of habitats from parkland, scrubland and gardens, to more rural habitats such as open meadows and wooded areas. It is often seen near water. It occurs at altitudes of up to 1900m. Summer and nursery roosts are found in houses and old buildings, as well as in tree holes. It normally hibernates in caves, mines and tunnels preferring temperatures of around 2 to 8 centigrade. It is usually a solitary hibernator, found mainly within small cracks and crevices.
BREEDING- Mating takes place in autumn and winter. Nursery colonies are established in May and normally contain between 20 and 50 females. Single youngsters are born in June. The nursery colonies are disbanded by the end of August when the young have become independent of their mothers.
BEHAVIOUR- Although they mostly hunt alone, they will sometimes hunt in small groups. They emerge at sunset and patrol repeatedly along favourite hunting areas, or 'beats'. Hibernation is normally between October and March depending on the weather.
FOOD- Hunts flying insects, normally at a height of 1.5m from the ground.
LIFESPAN- max. 23 years, but the average is about 4 years.