Natterer's bat  (Myotis nattereri)

Information authenticated by the Bat Conservation Trust:
http://www.bats.org.uk

• Colonies: groups of organisms living together, individuals in the group are not physiologically connected and may not be related, such as a colony of birds. Another meaning refers to organisms, such as bryozoans, which are composed of numerous genetically identical modules (also referred to as zooids or 'individuals'), which are produced by budding and remain physiologically connected.
• Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
• Tragus: a soft cartilaginous projection extending in front of the external opening of the ear. In bats it is thought to aid in the location of prey by generating many echoes, but the precise way in which this works is unknown.

1. UNEP-WCMC (January, 2002)
   http://quin.unep-wcmc.org/
2. The Bat Conservation Trust: Species Information Sheet - Natterer’s Bat (January, 2002)
   http://www.bats.org.uk/publications_detail.php/215/species_information_sheet_natterers_bat
3. Council of Europe: Bern Convention (January, 2002)
   http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/104.htm
4. Bat Conservation Trust. (2002) Pers. comm.
5. Naturenet (January, 2002)
   http://www.naturenet.net/law/index.html
6. Conservation Regulations 1994 (January, 2002)
   http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19942716_en_1.htm
7. Wardhaugh, A.A. (1995) Bats of the British Isles.Shire Natural History, Aylesbury.
8. Altringham, J.D. (1996) Bats: Biology and Behaviour.Oxford University Press, Oxford.
9. Altringham, J.D. (2002) Pers. comm.