Fun Barbastelle Bat Facts For Kids
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A European species of the Barbastella genus, the barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) is known best for its unusual echolocation calls. These echolocation calls are emitted from both its mouth and nose and this bat species is also known as a western barbastelle.
The western barbastelle possesses long dark black fur with either white or yellow tips. Also, the Latin meaning of the term 'barbastella' is 'star beard', referring to the distinctive white hairs on their lips. The species also has a pug-shaped nose.
Unlike other European bats, this bat's ears are short and wide. Females are typically larger than males. The average weight and length of barbastelle bats are 0.01-0.02 lb (6-10 g) and 1.57-2.16 in (40-55 mm), respectively.
During the summer and fall months, this species roosts in hollow trees and the outer areas of caves, mines, and cellars. Their habitat includes deciduous forests, rock crevices, and human buildings. The species is also found in trees of unmanaged woodland regions. During winter, the species inhabits natural caves, basements, and bunkers.
The western barbastelle bat is found in several countries of Europe such as Albania, Belgium, Norway, and Montenegro. One can also found the species in Ireland, Wales, and other southern and central parts of Britain.
In the IUCN Red List, these bats are listed as Near Threatened. The population has become more vulnerable due to a loss of habitats and pollution.
Let's read more interesting facts about the barbastelle bat, and if you found this article insightful, don't forget to check out exciting facts about different animals like the Rodrigues flying fox and the ghost bat.
Barbastelle Bat Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a barbastelle bat?
The barbastelle bat is one of the rarest species of bats found in different parts of Europe, including England. Other barbastelle bat names include barbastelle alone or western barbastelle. The scientific name of the barbastelle bat is Barbastella barbastellus. The diet of the species includes moths, flies, and beetles.
What class of animal does a barbastelle bat belong to?
The barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) belongs to the class of Mammalia, the family of Vespertilionidae, and the Barbastella genus.
How many barbastelle bats are there in the world?
The exact population of barbastelle bats (scientific name: barbastella barbastellus) is not known as of now. The population is estimated to be around 5000 in Great Britain, with 4500 in England and 500 in Wales.
Where does a barbastelle bat live?
The western barbastelle bat is found in several countries of Europe such as Albania, Belgium, Norway, and Montenegro. One can also found the species in Ireland, Wales, and other southern and central parts of England. The barbastelle bat in the Netherlands has been extinct since 1984.
What is a barbastelle bat's habitat?
During the summer and fall months, the barbastelle bat (scientific name: Barbastella barbastellus) roosts in hollow trees and the outer areas of caves, mines, and cellars. Their habitats include deciduous forests, rock crevices, and buildings. The species is also found in trees of unmanaged woodland regions. During winter, the species inhabits natural caves, basements, and bunkers.
Who do barbastelle bats live with?
Barbastelle bats (barbastella barbastellus) are often found in large clusters during their hibernation season. Also, clusters are also formed with brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus). During the breeding season, these bats come together.
How long does a barbastelle bat live?
The average barbastelle bat life span is around 21 years in the wild, while the life expectancy of the species in captivity is not known.
How do they reproduce?
Female barbastelles of the western barbastelle bat species generally mature during the first year of their life. The breeding season generally occurs during the early fall. Also, in some parts of their range, breeding in the winter season has also been reported.
These bats also possess a chemical that is typically used to attract their partners, and during summers, females form colonies of around 5-30 individuals. Females give birth to between one and two offspring and these offspring are born from May to early August. Juveniles become mature in about eight to nine weeks.
What is their conservation status?
In the IUCN Red List, these bats have a conservation status of Near Threatened. Their population around the world has become more vulnerable due to the loss of their habitat and pollution. Apart from their specific habitats, populations of this species is rarely found anywhere else in the world.
Barbastelle Bat Fun Facts
What do barbastelle bats look like?
The western barbastelle possesses long dark black fur with either white tips or yellow tips. Also, the Latin meaning of the term 'barbastella' is 'star beard', referring to white hairs on their lips. The species also has a pug-shaped nose. Unlike other European bats, this bat's ears are short and wide and meet at the middle of its forehead.
How cute are they?
Western barbastelle bats are really cute and the most distinctive feature about them is their pug-shaped nose and wide ears. It is super cute to watch these animals foraging near their roost sites.
They are not only found on trees but can also be seen in basements of houses sometimes. Also, the tail of this bat is as long as its body, how cute?
How do they communicate?
This bat possesses a rare and unique feature that allows them to communicate: echolocation calls are emitted from both its mouth and nose. These echolocation calls are generally used to find prey and partners within their range.
Along with these echolocation calls, chemical and tactile cues are used during the breeding season to attract mates. They generally remain in a single roosting range but move with great frequency (highly depending on their echolocation calls).
How big is a barbastelle bat?
The average weight and body length of barbastelle bats are 0.01-0.02 lb (6-10 g) and 1.57-2.16 in (40-55 mm), respectively. These bats are bigger than both hoary bats and red bats.
How fast can a barbastelle bat fly?
The exact speed of barbastelles is not known as of now, but the species is quite agile in flight. The species is also known for deceiving its prey, such as beetles and moths, by using the allotonic frequency hypothesis. The bat produces clicks at frequencies either above or below the hearing range of its prey.
How much does a barbastelle bat weigh?
The average weight of barbastelle bats is around 0.01-0.02 lb (6-10 g).
What are their male and female names of the species?
There are specific names given to male and female bats. People generally refer to them as barbastelles or western barbastelle bats. Female bats are generally larger than males.
What would you call a baby barbastelle bat?
The term pup is used to refer to a baby barbastelle bat.
What do they eat?
These bats are carnivorous and their diet includes moths like puss moths, beetles such as dung beetles, and flies. Studies reveal that these bats use methods such as gleaning and aerial-hawking to find food, and they typically feed 13-16 ft (4-5 m) above the ground.
Are they dangerous?
These bats are quite dangerous despite the fact that they help humans by feeding on large quantities of insects and moths near human settlements. However, they can turn aggressive if someone tries to approach their sites or threaten them.
They also possess sharp teeth, and the bite of this species could make you ill. The bite of these bats has been known to cause death.
Would they make a good pet?
It is not legal to keep these bats as pets for conservation reasons, as their population is decreasing rapidly in several parts of Europe. It is better to protect them, rather than keeping them in captivity.
Did you know...
A German naturalist, Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber, described the western barbastelle as a new species in 1774.
Is the barbastelle bat endangered?
In the IUCN Red List, these bats are given the conservation status of Near Threatened. Their population has become more vulnerable due to a loss of habitats and pollution.
Several national legislations have been put in place for the conservation of the species and the species is protected under several conventions such as the Berne Convention, UNEP-EUROBATS, and many more.
Why are they called barbastelle bats?
The Latin meaning of the term 'barbastella' is 'star beard', referring to white hairs on their lips.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our red bat facts and Mexican free-tailed bat facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Barbastelle bat coloring pages.
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