Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797)

Common Name and Taxonomy

Myotis myotis, commonly called the greater mouse-eared bat, is a large bat belonging to the genus Myotis.

Facial Features

It has a long, broad muzzle and big, long ears.

Body Coloration

Its dorsal body is brown to reddish-brown, while its ventral body is dirty white or beige.

Tragus Characteristics

The tragus reaches half the length of the ear, and most individuals have a small black tip on the tragus.

Wing Membrane Color

Its wing membranes are brownish in colour.

Body Weight and Head-Tail Length

As one of the largest Myotis species and one of the largest bat species in Europe, it can weigh up to 45 grams (1.6 oz), and measures 8 to 9 cm from head to tail, which is slightly larger than a house mouse (Mus musculus).

Additional Morphometrics

It has a wingspan of 40 cm, a forearm length of 6 cm, and a tail that is 4 to 5 cm long.

Lifespan

Exceptionally long-lived for its size, this species can have a lifespan of more than 35 years.

European Distribution Range

This bat is distributed across most of Europe, absent from Ireland, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and the Scandinavian Peninsula.

Mediterranean Island Distribution

It also occurs on many Mediterranean islands, including Sicily, Malta, the Gymnesian Islands, and the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Menorca.

Mallorca Population Status

On Mallorca, it is the most abundant bat species, with several caves hosting large colonies of 200, 400, and 500 individuals.

Western Europe Abundance

It is also very common in the Iberian Peninsula and France.

Middle East Distribution

In the Middle East, it has been recorded in Turkey, Israel, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

United Kingdom Presence Status

Its presence in the United Kingdom is not confirmed.

20th Century Great Britain Population

During the 20th century, the species was very rare in Great Britain, only found in southern England.

Great Britain Local Extinction

The population at the only known hibernation roost declined until only a few males remained, and after these individuals disappeared, the species was considered locally extinct.

Recent Great Britain Sightings

Occasional individuals have been found in recent years, however, suggesting either that a small colony survives or that new individuals have colonized Great Britain from mainland Europe.

Conservation Project

In 2012, a LIFE-Nature project was started to protect the several thousand greater mouse-eared bats living in Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Nature Park in the Marches.