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Brown Long-eared Bat · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Brown Long-eared Bat

Plecotus auritus

Not yet photographed by the community

Huge ears nearly as long as body; gleans insects from foliage.

Species Profile

Amber List (UK Birds of Conservation Concern equivalent for mammals); protected under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Lifespan: 4–5 years in the wild, occasionally up to 20+ years in captivity
Size & Weight: 37–43 mm body length, wingspan 24–26 cm; 7–12 g
Habitat: Woodland, parkland, hedgerows, and buildings with access to open foraging areas; roosts in trees, caves, and attics.
UK Distribution: Found throughout England, Wales, and Scotland; year-round resident with no significant migration, though some local movements occur between summer and winter roosts.
Diet: Small flying insects including flies, mosquitoes, midges, and small moths caught in flight or gleaned from vegetation.
Prey: Diptera (flies), Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), Hymenoptera (wasps and bees), small insects up to 15 mm
Predators: Tawny owls, sparrowhawks, and occasionally domestic cats; also vulnerable to roost disturbance and predation by rats in buildings
Mating Season: August to October, with sperm stored until spring
Breeding: Single litter per year of 1–2 pups born May–July; gestation approximately 7–8 weeks; pups weaned at 6–8 weeks old

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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