The brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), a species not seen on the UK’s Isles of Scilly for nearly half a century, has been found alive, well, and breeding.
The bats are named for their gigantic ears, three quarters the length of their head and body, which they fold over when resting. They feed mostly on moths and caterpillars, and fly low, making them easy prey for cats.
Researchers led by Fiona Mathews at the University of Exeter were called to the islands to monitor bat activity, and found one of these bats during a radiotracking study.
“We were surprised and delighted to find this brown long-eared bat and particularly excited that it is a pregnant female, as it suggests that there must be a breeding colony,” says Mathews in a press release.
Brown long-eared bats are also known as whispering bats because they do not use echolocation as often as other bats. Instead, they are believed to rely on their large ears to listen for prey.
Because of their quiet nature, scientists have difficulty finding them with their detectors.
“We found this individual roosting in an old split Monterey pine tree planted by the shore as a wind-break, and feeding along avenues of elm trees,” explains Mathews. “Now we know the bats are there, local conservation organizations can start to improve the habitat for them.”
Mathews suggests that more trees need to be planted, as woodlands are the bats’ natural habitat and are lacking on the islands.
“In addition, much can be done to provide suitable places for them to have their babies,” says Mathews. “Bats can live for over 20 years but breed very slowly.
“Because they do not build nests, the mothers must find locations which will keep their babies warm during the night whilst the adults leave the roost to feed,” she added. “They will happily use lofts and bat boxes, as well as tree holes.”
According to Matthews, the last time a colony of the bats was seen was in the 1960’s, when their roosting site in a building was destroyed.
This bat is one of 18 bat species known to live in the UK.
The bats are named for their gigantic ears, three quarters the length of their head and body, which they fold over when resting. They feed mostly on moths and caterpillars, and fly low, making them easy prey for cats.
Researchers led by Fiona Mathews at the University of Exeter were called to the islands to monitor bat activity, and found one of these bats during a radiotracking study.
“We were surprised and delighted to find this brown long-eared bat and particularly excited that it is a pregnant female, as it suggests that there must be a breeding colony,” says Mathews in a press release.
Brown long-eared bats are also known as whispering bats because they do not use echolocation as often as other bats. Instead, they are believed to rely on their large ears to listen for prey.
Because of their quiet nature, scientists have difficulty finding them with their detectors.
“We found this individual roosting in an old split Monterey pine tree planted by the shore as a wind-break, and feeding along avenues of elm trees,” explains Mathews. “Now we know the bats are there, local conservation organizations can start to improve the habitat for them.”
Mathews suggests that more trees need to be planted, as woodlands are the bats’ natural habitat and are lacking on the islands.
“In addition, much can be done to provide suitable places for them to have their babies,” says Mathews. “Bats can live for over 20 years but breed very slowly.
“Because they do not build nests, the mothers must find locations which will keep their babies warm during the night whilst the adults leave the roost to feed,” she added. “They will happily use lofts and bat boxes, as well as tree holes.”
According to Matthews, the last time a colony of the bats was seen was in the 1960’s, when their roosting site in a building was destroyed.
This bat is one of 18 bat species known to live in the UK.
