European free-tailed bat
European bulldog bat ( Tadarida teniotis )
The European bulldog bat ( Tadarida teniotis ) is the only native European species of the family of bulldog bats ( Molossidae ). It is common in southern Europe and North Africa around the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. It prefers mountainous regions with canyons and cliffs, but also occurs in villages. In the French Alps, they are found up to an altitude of 1923 meters above sea level.
Features
With a body size of 81-92 mm and a weight of 25 to 50 grams of the European bulldog bat is one of the largest bats in Europe. The fur of the animals is very short and soft, brownish-black in color gray to smoke gray, underside lighter. The ears, the nose and the wing membranes are black to blackish gray. The juveniles are slightly lighter colored than the adult bats. Due to their large ears, the eyes and the face on project forward, and the 5 - wrinkled upper lip who have earned them the name, it is unmistakable. The rear edge of the ear is enlarged and fitted at eye level with an almost square and striking antitragus. The nostrils facing forward.
The wings of the kind are made very narrow and long, the wingspan is about 410 mm. The Armflughaut extends to the heel and sets on there. The 44 and 57 mm long tail protrudes to one third to one half of the short tail and wing membrane is used for keys. The spur has no Epiblema. The legs are strong and can be used for running and climbing.
Striking is the smell of the animals; they smell strongly of a mixture of lavender and musk.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of European bulldog bat includes southern Europe from the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, Italy and the Balkans to Turkey and from there to the Arabian Peninsula. It also occurs in large parts of the North African Mediterranean coast of Morocco to Egypt and on most Mediterranean islands. Recently, it was discovered in a cave at Zirl in Tyrol
The bat is found mainly in rocky habitats in the mountains or in the range of shore rocks, but also occurs in villages. The highest proof lay in the French Alps at an altitude of 1923 meters at the Col de Bretolet. The summer roosts find the animals in crevices in cave ceilings or columns on buildings. The winter roosts are in caves and crevices.
System
The European bulldog bat is the only European type of bulldog bats ( Molossidae ) and the genus Tadarida, there are seven types of the in tropical regions. It comes in Europe only the nominate Tadarida teniotis teniotis while on the Arabian Peninsula and in Egypt the subspecies Tadarida teniotis rueppellii is widespread.