Egyptian pipistrelle  (Pipistrellus deserti)

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The Egyptian pipistrelle is a small bat with long ears, which are rounded at the tips, and long tragi (3). Its long, dense fur is usually dark brown in colour, yet can vary between shades of grey, reddish-brown and pale brown (3), with the fur on the underside being a lighter shade than the fur on the back. A characteristic white stripe, commonly more than five millimetres wide, runs along the wing membranes, and some individuals also have white skin on the fingers and the veins in the flight membranes (4). Egyptian pipistrelle females are often slightly larger than the males (4).

Due to a lack of obvious distinguishing features, it can be difficult to identify different species in the Pipistrellus genus, a name which comes from the Italian word ‘pipistrello’ meaning bat (5). However, the number of teeth is one character that may be used to distinguish between different pipistrelle species; the Egyptian pipistrelle typically has 34 teeth (5).

The Egyptian pipistrelle is found in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Ghana (1) (6) (7) (8).

The Egyptian pipistrelle, which is known to be strongly thermophilic (thrive at high temperatures) (9), occurs in subtropical and tropical dry scrubland, rocky areas, and in hot deserts (4). It is most commonly found near oases with palm trees, in which it is believed to roost (2), although it has also been observed roosting in buildings and rocky areas (1).

There is very little known about the biology of the Egyptian pipistrelle, although it is likely to be similar to that of other pipistrelle bats. Pipistrelle bats are typically the first species of bat to come out in the evenings (3), when, characterised by their jerky, erratic flight, they hunt for insects, which are caught on the wing (6). This species uses echolocation (at a frequency of 44 to 47 kilohertz) to detect prey in the sparse deserts of Africa (4).

Pipistrelle bats typically roost in small colonies of around 10 to 12 individuals, although on occasions this number can be slightly larger (2) (10). Thought to give birth in April or May (2), the Egyptian pipistrelle probably produces two young per birth (3).

The Egyptian pipistrelle is currently not considered threatened, as it has been described as widespread over its range, and is often the most common species found at Saharan oases (1).

There are no known conservation efforts currently in place for the Egyptian pipistrelle (1).

To learn more about bat conservation see:

• Organization for Bat Conservation:
  http://www.batconservation.org
• Bat Conservation International:
  http://www.batcon.org