In Britain, Bechstein's bats are restricted to southern England

Life span
The maximum recorded age was 21 years.

Statistics
Body length: 4.3-5cm, Wingspan: 25-30cm, Weight: 7-12g.

Physical description
Bechstein's bats have long, broad ears. The upper-parts are reddish brown and the under-parts are greyish buff. They have brown ears and wing membranes, and the nose is pink.

Distribution
Bechstein's bats are found in Europe. In the UK, they are mainly found in Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey.

Habitat
They are predominantly woodland bats, preferring mixed woodlands, but also occupying pinewoods, gardens and parks.

Diet
Bechstein's bats leave the nest after nightfall. They are agile fliers, catching prey (moths, mosquitoes and beetles) in flight or from branches and off the ground.

Behaviour
They roost in tree holes and bat boxes during the summer, and in the winter they roost in cellars, tunnels and tree holes.

Reproduction
Bechstein's bats mate from autumn to spring, and occupy nursery roosts at the end of May. Females give birth at the end of June, and the young leave the nurseries at the end of August.

Conservation status
Bechstein's bats are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List