One of Europe’s most mysterious bats—small, dark, and highly secretive, yet specialized in ways that make it truly stand out. Found across much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, it is a forest-dwelling bat that few people ever get to see, even in areas where it lives. What makes it fascinating is not just its elusive nature, but its unusual face, its whisper-like echolocation, and its almost exclusive diet of moths.
In appearance, the western barbastelle is instantly recognizable to bat specialists. It has a flattened, pug-like face with a short, upturned snout and large, broad ears that meet across its head, giving it a slightly “mask-like” look. Its fur is dark brown to black but frosted with pale tips, creating a smoky, silvery sheen that blends perfectly with bark and shadows. It is a medium-sized bat, but its looks set it apart from any other European bat.
The western barbastelle’s real claim to fame is its stealth hunting strategy. Most bats emit high-pitched echolocation calls that are loud enough for many insects, especially moths, to detect. Moths have evolved ears that pick up these signals, allowing them to dodge hungry bats. But the western barbastelle has flipped this arms race on its head—it produces extremely quiet, low-intensity calls, which moths can’t hear until it’s too late. This “whispering sonar” makes the western barbastelle a specialized moth-hunter, and studies show that moths form the bulk of its diet. It doesn’t chase prey in open air but instead flies low along tree canopies and hedgerows, ambushing insects in stealth mode.
Distribution
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czechia
Denmark
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Holy See
Hungary
Iran
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
Official estimate
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Senegal
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United KingdomAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Colony
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
