Order Chiroptera Genus Myotis Higher classification Mouse-eared bat | Phylum Chordata Family Vespertilionidae Scientific name Myotis blythii Rank Species | |
Similar Mouse‑eared bat, Greater mouse‑eared bat, Geoffroy's bat, Common bent‑wing bat, Long‑fingered bat | ||
The lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythii) is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae.
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Distribution
Lesser mouse-eared bats can be found in the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, China, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.
Threats
The species is decreasing in population due to the pollution and changes in land management. Construction noise has disturbed populations in southern Spain; the population in Andalusia decreased from 30,000 to 14,000 between 1994 and 2002. Herders in Syria and Turkey light fires at cave mouths for their livestock disturbing the bats.
Conservation
It is protected in most areas of Europe by Bonn and Bern Convention. The species are required special measures which includes construction of designated areas, which are provided by Special Areas for Conservation. Natura 2000 is also protecting the species. In some European countries the caves are closed with fences so that the visitors won't disturb them.
Characteristics
These large-sized bats are around 62–70 millimetres (2.4–2.8 in) long and weigh around 16–26 grams (0.56–0.92 oz).