Whiskered Bat
Whiskered Bat
| Irish Name: | Ioltog ghiobach |
| Scientific name: | Myotis mystacinus |
| Bird Family: | Bats |
The whiskered bat prefers habitats such as open meadows and wooded landscapes, often near freshwater bodies. They tend to roost in older houses, making them also common in parks, gardens, and villages.
Identification
The whiskered bat, one of Ireland’s smaller and rarer bats, is Europe’s smallest myotis species. It has dark brown shaggy fur on its back and upper parts, with a greyish to white underbelly. Adults measure up to 4.8 cm in body length with a 4 cm tail. Their feet are very small for bats. In autumn, they can weigh up to 8 grams, slimming down to 4-5 grams in summer after hibernation.
More details can be found at https://www.conserveireland.com/mammals/whiskered_bat.php.