Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) lives in tropical caves across Southern Europe and Asia. Its conservation status is Vulnerable.
Fascinating facts about the Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat
- It can remain in a deep torpor for up to about 12 days, the longest hibernation period recorded for the species. During these bouts the bat seeks out a bell-shaped hollow that traps its own body heat, creating a microclimate warmer than the surrounding cave walls. The elevated temperature means the animal can avoid frequent shivering, which conserves valuable energy reserves.
- Colonies may swell from a few dozen individuals to several million bats gathered in a single cave. Such aggregations are most often found in large caves or abandoned mines, but the species also exploits tunnels, ruins and other man-made structures when suitable. The sheer size of these groups can amplify the heat retained in their bell-shaped hollows, further stabilising the roost environment.
- It builds its roost inside a bell-shaped hollow that captures body heat, making the interior warmer than the surrounding cave. The extra warmth reduces the need for shivering during torpor, saving precious energy that would otherwise be spent on heat production. By maintaining a stable, elevated temperature, the hollow also creates a favourable environment for pups and for the colony's nightly foraging cycles.
- The common bent-winged bat undertakes several migrations each year, timing its movements to the weather conditions at its roosting sites. These journeys can differ in distance, but the species is capable of travelling very far. The longest recorded migration stretched 833 km, showing the bat's remarkable ability to cover extensive ground between colonies. Such long-range travel helps the bat locate suitable caves or mines as seasonal habitats change.
- In 2018 the species was documented in Poland for the first time, marking a rare northward expansion of its range. This new foothold appears despite a general decline in European populations, highlighting a contrasting pattern of local growth and broader loss. The bat normally inhabits the southern half of Europe, from Iberia to the Caucasus, with its strongest numbers in the warm Mediterranean region.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSouthern Europe and Asia
HabitatTropical caves
DietInsects and spiders
About the Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat
In the twilight skies, the Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat unfurls its slender wings, a dark silhouette against the fading light, as it embarks on its nocturnal quest for insects. With a mesmerizing agility, it navigates the labyrinthine corridors of its subterranean roosts and the dense canopies above, its long fingers extending from the wing membrane like delicate brushstrokes. As it flits and weaves, its high-pitched calls echo through the darkness, a haunting serenade that underscores the fragile beauty of this vulnerable creature.
Hear the Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
