Brown or common long-eared bat (lat. Plecotus auritus)
— one of the species of the genus Plecotus from the family of common bats (Vespertilionidae). Unlike other Palaearctic representatives of the family, long-eared bats are distinguished by their very long ears (almost equal in length to their forearms). When resting, their ears are laid back and hidden under their wings. Weighing no more than 12 grams and with a body size of 5 cm, their ears can sometimes be larger than their body. However, they cannot boast of an original coloration: their gray-brown fur is very unremarkable.They are widespread throughout the Palaearctic, from Portugal in the west to Kamchatka in the east, and from North Africa, Palestine, Iran, and Central China in the south to 60-62 degrees N latitude in the north, practically in all countries of Eurasia.
In summer, they roost in various natural (crevices under loose bark, tree hollows, caves) and artificial shelters (attics and gaps in buildings), and late at night they fly out to feed. They often catch insects or spiders sitting on leaves or branches, and they can hover in the air in front of their prey, quickly flapping their wings.
They hibernate in natural caves or artificial underground structures. Females give birth to one, and rarely two, offspring.
Red Book
