Common pipistrelle

Description

The common pipistrelle is the most widespread bat species in Europe. It is one of the smallest representatives of the mammals with a wingspan of up to 25 cm. Along with the soprano pipistrelle bat, it is one of the smallest within its genus.

It reaches a body size of 4.5 cm and a wingspan of up to 25 cm with a weight of 3.5 to 7 g. It thus weights only a little more than sugar cube and is the size of a matchbox when its wings are folded. Its fur colouration is reddish brown to dark brown, the underpart yellowish brown to greyish brown.

Habitat

Common pipistrelle bats prefer to hunt along vegetation structures. Their main food is insects, especially dipterous insect such as chiggers. Preferred hunting habitats are flown over and hunted for a longer period of time. Unlike other light-shy bat species, common pipistrelle bats also hunt in urban areas around street lighting. 

The text is a translation of an excerpt from Wikipedia (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwergfledermaus). On wikipedia the text is available under a „Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike“ licence. Status: 13 August 2021