Lesser mouse-eared bat

Description

The lesser mouse-eared bat is very similar to the somewhat larger greater mouse-eared bat. It reaches a snout-vent length of 62 to 71 (rarely from 54, or up to 76) mm and a weight of 15 to 28 g. The wingspan is 380 to 400 mm and the condylobasal length 17.2 to 18.5 mm. The wingspan is 380 to 400 mm, the condylobasal length 17.2 to 18.5 mm. The tail is 53 to 59 (maximum 60) mm long, the ears 19.8 to 23.5 (maximum 26) mm and the forearm 52.5 to 59 (maximum 62.5) mm. The ears are narrow and shorter than those of the greater mouse-eared bat. The anterior edge of the ears is not so strongly curved backwards and the ears taper more pointedly. The tragus is narrower at the base, lanceolate and becomes almost half as long as the ear. The outer edge of the ear has 5 to 6 transverse folds. The snout is narrower and more pointed compared to the greater long-eared bat, making it appear longer. The coat is short and the base of the fur is dark grey. The upperpart is grey with a brownish tinge, while the underpart is greyish white. Ears, snout and patagium are light grey-brown. The tragus is pale yellowish white. The patagium of the arms attaches to the base of the toes. The spur is about half as long as the uropatagium and has a narrow skin margin.

Habitat

The lesser mouse-eared bat is found in warmth-favoured areas in loose stands of trees and bushes, parks, karst areas, but also in towns and villages. The species has been recorded up to altitudes of 1000 m.

They hunt in the dark or late twilight. Their flight is steady and slow, they are more agile in confined spaces than the greater mouse-eared bat. Food is probably also taken from the ground. Prey are beetles and moths.

The text is a translation of an excerpt from Wikipedia (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleines_Mausohr). On wikipedia the text is available under a „Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike“ licence. Status: 18 August 2021