Description

The long-fingered bat is a medium-sized bat and one of three 'trawling' European bat species, the other two being the Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) and pond bat (Myotis dasycneme)(3). 'Trawling' bats have very big feet in relation to their body size and feed by 'scooping' their prey from water surfaces with their feet and the help of their tail membrane. The long-fingered bat has immense feet compared to the other two trawling species, hence its common name, and its toes have characteristic long bristles. Typical of Myotis species, this bat has an elongated muzzle. The tragus is long and narrow reaching half the length of its ear and has a pointed tip. The fur on the bat's back is brownish-grey and is darker than that on the stomach, which is greyish white. Juveniles are characterized by relatively smaller size, lighter weight, pigeon-grey colouration on the back and dark lower lip and chin, which usually becomes pinkish at the adult stage.