- Scientific Name
- Myotis brandtii
- Family
- Vespertilionidae
- Global Conservation Status (IUCN)
- Least Concern
- Region
- Northern and Eastern Europe
- Diet
- Insectivore
Data Sheet
Diet: Brandt’s myotis feed primarily on small moths, as well as spiders, flies, wasps and other insects.
Fun Fact: Brandt’s myotis is the world record holder for bat longevity – a male bat first captured and banded in 1962 was recaptured in 2005, making it at least 41 years old!
Appearance: Brandt’s myotis are small, brown bats with forearms lengths of less than 26 mm. They are considered a cryptic species of Whiskered Bat, since it is nearly impossible to distinguish them from related bats on appearance alone.
Habitat: Brandt’s myotis prefer forest habitat, including coniferous and mountain woodlands. They often forage near or above water sources such as lakes, rivers, and streams.
They frequently roost in tree crevices or buildings and will also readily inhabit bat boxes. They hibernate during the winter, in caves, tunnels or abandoned mines.
Echolocation: The echolocation calls of Brandt’s myotis are similar to many other species in their region, making them difficult to identify via recording. In general, the echolocation calls of Brandt’s myotis start around 92 kHz and end around 33 kHz.
Conservation Concerns: With a broad geographical range, Brandt’s myotis is not currently considered threatened. The main possible concerns are loss of roosting habitat and disturbance during hibernation. They may also be sensitive to light pollution, particularly at roosting and hunting sites.
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