Brown long-eared bat
Description: One of the seven species of bats found in the Isle of Man, the Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) is the most easily recognised from the ears which can be up to three-quarters the length of the head and body. Each weighing a mere 6-12 g and with a wingspan of up to 28 cms, these little bats have a relatively slow, fluttering flight and tend to hunt for moths close to the ground, making them vulnerable to domestic cats. This specimen was killed by a cat in St Johns, Isle of Man in October 2000.
Long-eared bats are primarily woodland species and use their huge ears to pick up the sounds of their prey, usually moths like yellow underwings. They roost in rot holes and crevices in trees, but can also be found resting in roof spaces, coming out to forage in gardens and orchards. When at rest they fold their sensitive ears back along the body.
All bats and their roosts are protected by the Wildlife Act in the Isle of Man as they are so vulnerable to disturbance and loss of roost sites. This is part of a wider conservation effort throughout the British Isles to stem the decline in bat populations.
Measurements: Forearm length 39.0mm, thumb length 6.5 - 7.0 mm
Place found: St John's
Date found: 2000-10
Taxonomic name: Plecotus auritus
Collection: Natural History Zoology Collection
ID number: 2000-0090