Head to head
Bechstein's Bat vs Greater Mouse-eared Bat
Bechstein's Bat
VS Greater Mouse-eared Bat
Bechstein's bat and the greater mouse-eared bat are both Myotis bats of Europe that take prey from surfaces rather than only in the air, but they live very different lives.
| Bechstein's Bat | Greater Mouse-eared Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Myotis bechsteinii | Myotis myotis |
| Size and ears | Long ears that help it listen for the sounds of prey | Among the largest bats of Europe, with a wingspan of up to around 40 cm |
| Habitat | Old, mature broadleaved woodland with plenty of tree holes | Woodland, grassland, and farmland |
| Roost | Holes in trees, including old woodpecker holes, moving between roosts often | Big colonies in attics, church roofs, and caves in summer |
| Diet | Moths, flies, beetles, and spiders, often gleaned from leaves and the ground | Large ground beetles and other big insects |
| Hunting | Takes insects from leaves, bark, and the ground, as well as in flight | Listens for the faint sounds of beetles on the ground, then swoops down |
| Range | Old woodland in western and central Europe, including southern England | Europe and parts of the Middle East |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened, with a decreasing population | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Bechstein's Bat vs Greater Mouse-eared Bat: common questions
Why is Bechstein's bat rare?
It depends on old, mature broadleaved woodland with plenty of tree holes, and that kind of forest has been lost or fragmented.
Which bat roosts in attics?
The greater mouse-eared bat, which forms big colonies in attics, church roofs, and caves in summer.
Where do Bechstein's bat and the greater mouse-eared bat live?
Bechstein's bat lives in old woodland in western and central Europe, including southern England, while the greater mouse-eared bat lives across Europe and parts of the Middle East.