Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus)

What do brown long-eared bats look like?

As the name suggests, a brown long-eared bat's signature characteristic is its big ears which are almost as long as its body. When resting, it rolls its ears back or hides them underneath its wings.

It is a medium-sized bat, growing to around 8cm in length, including ears. It has light grey-brown fur and a pale underside.

Not to be confused with: the grey long-eared bat which is much rarer. Those look similar to the brown long-eared but are larger and grey in colour, with a darker face.

What do brown long-eared bats eat?

This bat's diet consists of invertebrates like moths, earwigs, flies and beetles. They glide slowly when they hunt, diving low to forage for insects.

They eat small prey mid-flight, but take bigger prey to a perch where they eat upside-down.

Do brown long-eared bats hibernate?

These bats hibernate during winter, usually between November and April. They tend to spend the winters hidden away in tunnels, caves and mines.

Where do brown long-eared bats live?

Found across the UK, the brown long-eared bat prefers light woodland. It also visits gardens in its search for food, but it avoids built-up areas.

It typically roosts in trees, but also in attics and old buildings.

Signs and spotting tips

The best time to see a brown long-eared bat is after sunset, when they leave their roosts to hunt. They usually follow linear features like streams, fences and hedges, and fly a bit slower than other bats.