Ireland’s Night-Time Neighbours
Bats are more than Halloween silhouettes; they’re crucial for healthy ecosystems.
Quick Bat Facts
Bats are mammals; in fact, they are the only mammals capable of true sustained flight.
There are over 1,000 known species of bats worldwide, demonstrating a remarkable diversity. In this region, two main bat families can be found: Vespertilionidae and Rhinolophidae.
A single pipistrelle bat can consume more than 3,000 midges in just one night, playing a crucial role in insect population control.
Lesser horseshoe bats have very limited populations, living only in small areas along the west coast.
Bats hibernate from November through March, choosing shelters such as caves, old buildings, or cellars to stay safe and conserve energy. During the summer months, their roosting sites include attics, barns, and even hidden spots behind old road signs.
The pipistrelle is the smallest bat species here, with individuals weighing approximately the same as a €1 coin, highlighting their delicate and lightweight nature.
What are the nine species found in Ireland?
Family Vespertilionidae
Vespertilionid bats have a simple muzzle and possess an external flap of skin near the ear known as the tragus. This flap plays a crucial role in identifying the vertical location of prey while foraging.
Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii)
Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri)
Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus)
Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii)
Whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus)
Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri)
Family Rhinolophidae
Rhinolophid bats possess a more complex muzzle featuring several skin flaps known as a noseleaf, which create a horseshoe shape around their nostrils. These bats direct their echolocation calls through their noses. Unlike other Irish bat species that can land and crawl, Rhinolophid bats hang freely in their roosts and lack this ability.
Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)