Bechstein's bat | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Chiroptera |
Family: | Vespertilionidae |
Genus: | Myotis |
Species: | M. bechsteinii |
Binomial name | |
Myotis bechsteinii Kuhl, 1817 |
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Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii) is a species of vesper bat found in Europe and western Asia, living in extensive areas of woodland.
It is a medium-sized and relatively long-eared bat. The adult has a long, fluffy fur which is reddish-brown above and gray-white below. It has a pinkish face, and its ears are long and broad. The wings are dark brown and rather broad, with the membrane attached to the base of the feet.
It has a rather delicate and fluttering flight, and is adapted to catching moths and other small nocturnal insects. Tree holes are used for roosting and hibernation during the winter. Mating happens in autumn, and delayed fertilization means that young (one per female) are born early in the following summer.
Bechstein's bat can be found in the following countries: Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Liechtenstein, Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Iran.