Bechstein's myotis
Myotis bechsteinii
Matthieu Gauvain · Yonne
Key facts in one look
- Size
- Body 4.2–5.1 cm, wingspan 25–30 cm
- Diet
- Insectivore: moths, earwigs
- Status in Georgia
- Native; rare, Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Old broadleaf and mixed forest
- Family
- Vespertilionidae
- Conservation
- NT / VU
Bechstein's myotis (Myotis bechsteinii) is a forest bat that is rarely found outside woodland. In Europe it prefers old beech and oak forest and spends the day in old woodpecker holes. It is known for its long, broad ears, though they are much shorter than those of the brown long-eared bat. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on Georgia's Red List, and only 25 records are known from the country. If a bat flies into your home, do not catch it with bare hands: open a window and give it time to leave.
Identification
Bechstein's myotis: how to identify it
A medium-sized, reddish-brown bat with a whitish belly, a pink face and long, broad ears. Its ears are unusually long for a Myotis, but they do not match those of the long-eared bats. The wings are broad, and the flight is slow and fluttering but agile.
Size: the body is 4.2–5.1 cm, the tail 4–4.6 cm, the forearm 39–45 mm, the wingspan up to 25–30 cm and the weight 6–13 g.
The ear is long and broad, with a rounded tip: longer than half the forearm and over 18 mm. This is the main feature that sets it apart from other Myotis bats.
The brown long-eared bat and its relatives have ears over 28 mm long. Bechstein's myotis has shorter ears than they do, so size tells them apart easily.
The fur is long and fluffy: the back is reddish-brown and the belly greyish-white. The face is pink and the wings dark brown and broad. Young bats are light grey.
Colour
The back is reddish-brown or pale brown and the belly greyish-white. The fur is long, fluffy and slightly ruffled. The face is pink and the wings dark brown. Young bats are light grey.
Swatches are illustrative. Do not identify a species by colour alone.
Often confused with
Bechstein's myotis is a forest specialist and is rarely found outside woodland. In Europe it prefers broadleaf forest with many old trees, especially beech and oak; in southwestern Asia it also lives in mixed forest. Now and then it turns up in orchards and gardens. In summer it roosts in tree holes, most often old woodpecker holes, sometimes in bat boxes and rarely in buildings. Its range runs from Spain and England to the Caucasus and Iran. Twenty-five records are known from Georgia, including from around Zugdidi and Borjomi. It has also been found at underground sites, although it counts as a forest species.
Bechstein's myotis eats insects. It takes moths, flies, lacewings and other small night-flying insects; in one study 20% of its food was earwigs and 18% moths. It catches prey in flight or picks it off the ground and tree trunks. Bats cut off from forest switch to insects and spiders taken from the ground. It usually hunts in the forest canopy within 1–2 km of its roost.
Bechstein's myotis emerges about half an hour after sunset. Its flight is slow and fluttering but very agile, and usually low. It hibernates at underground sites and in tree holes. Mating takes place in autumn and spring, and fertilisation is delayed. In late spring females form nursery colonies of 10–30 bats, while males live alone in summer. Each female has a single young in late June or early July. The oldest known bat was 21 years old.
Bechstein's myotis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on Georgia's Red List. The 2021 national assessment also rates it Vulnerable (VU), with a declining population. Globally it is Near Threatened (NT, 2016). Its fate depends on old forests: without trees with holes it has nowhere to roost. In Britain it is one of the rarest mammals, and its decline there is linked to the loss of woodland. In Europe it is protected under the Habitats Directive.
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Yes, but it is rare. Only 25 records are known from the country, including from around Zugdidi and Borjomi. It is a forest bat, though it has also been found at underground sites. Its numbers are falling.
By ear length. Bechstein's myotis has ears over 18 mm long, but the brown long-eared bat and its relatives have ears over 28 mm. Bechstein's myotis also has a reddish-brown back and a pink face. Do not catch a bat to identify it.
It will not attack you, but do not touch it with bare hands. A bat bite can be tiny and easy to miss. Rabies cannot be ruled out by appearance, although most bats people see are not rabid. After a bite or scratch, wash the spot with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and see a doctor; in an emergency, call 112.
Night-flying insects. It mainly catches moths, flies and earwigs. It takes prey in flight and also picks it off the ground or tree trunks. It hunts in the forest canopy, within 1–2 km of its roost.
Yes. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on Georgia's Red List, and the 2021 national assessment found its numbers falling. Globally it is Near Threatened (NT, 2016). The key to keeping it is leaving old trees with holes standing.
References
What this profile is based on
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed literature and established biodiversity databases, and are reviewed as new taxonomic and conservation data become available.
Prepared by the Reptiles.ge editorial team from the sources listed here.
