Long-fingered bat

Langfußfledermaus (Myotis capaccinii )

The Langfußfledermaus (Myotis capaccinii, also known as Großfußfledermaus ) is a bat species from the genus mouse ears, which was described by Bonaparte in 1837 for the first time. The scientific species name honors the Italian Cardinal Francesco Capaccini.

The Langfußfledermaus is a medium sized bat with a head-body length of about 5 inches and a wingspan of about 25 centimeters. The top is brighter than other mouse-eared bat species and colored smoke gray. The belly is light gray and not sharply demarcated from the top. The muzzle is brown, ears and wing membranes are brown gray. The feet are covered with unusually large and long bristles. The Armflughaut extends to the heel. The lower legs are very hairy. The tail wing membrane is covered with dark fuzz. The nostrils stick out pretty far.

The Langfußfledermaus is quite widespread in the Mediterranean. Previously it was sufficient the circulation area to the Alps, now these populations, however, are probably extinct. Other reserves are found in North Africa and east to Iran and Uzbekistan.

Langfußfledermäuse keep preferably in shrubbery rich terrain near water. Both in summer and in winter the animals sleep in caves, tunnels and cellars.

The animals are very sociable, winter quarters there were over 3000 animals have been found. Langfußfledermäuse form colonies with other bat species such as mouse ears or long wing bats. Langfußfledermäuse are crepuscular. They like to hunt over water for insects they eat in flight. The flight resembles that of the water bat. The Langfußfledermaus is the bat of Europe, which is best adapted to catch insects from the water surface.

Similar Species:

• Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentoni )
• Pond bat (Myotis dasycneme )