Barbastelle bat © Ján Svetlík
Barbastelle bat
The barbastelle is a scarce bat that lives in woodland and forages over a wide area. It has a distinctive 'pug-like' appearance because of its upturned nose.
Scientific name
Barbastella barbastellusWhen to see
April to OctoberSpecies information
Category
Statistics
Length: 4-5.5cmWingspan: 26-29cm
Weight: 6-13g
Average lifespan: up to 23 years
Conservation status
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive. Listed as Near Threatened on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Habitats
About
An elusive bat, the barbastelle lives in woodland and roosts in crevices in trees. All UK bats are nocturnal, feeding on midges, moths and other flying insects that they find in the dark by using echolocation. Barbastelles forage over a variety of habitats and are fast and agile fliers. They mate in autumn, hibernate over the winter (usually underground), and give birth to a single pup in summer.How to identify
The barbastelle has long and silky fur that is blackish-brown in colour, but with white tips. It has rounded ears that meet on the forehead, and a short, upturned nose, giving it a pug-like appearance.Distribution
Found only in southern England and Wales. Very few breeding sites are known.Did you know?
The scientific name Barbastella comes from the Latin for 'star beard' and is a reference to the white tips present on the barbastelle's fur.
Bertie Gregory/2020VISION