Brown long-eared bat  (Plecotus auritus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The brown long-eared bat is the second most common bat in Great Britain (4) after the pipistrelles (5). As the name suggests, it has exceptionally long ears that are almost as long as the body (4). When at rest, the ears are often tucked away under a wing or curled back like ram's horns, with just the long, delicate tragus visible (4). This medium-sized bat has broad wings, the long fluffy fur is grey-brown in colour, becoming yellowish in places, and the belly is a lighter grey (2). Juveniles are pale grey in colour, lacking the brown tinges of the adults (2).

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