Bechstein's Bat
Myotis bechsteinii
Bechstein's bat is a species of vesper bat found in Europe and western Asia, living in extensive areas of woodland.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechstein's_bat
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Chiroptera
Family
Vespertilionidae
Genus
Myotis
Bechstein's Bat belongs to the family Vespertilionidae, order Chiroptera, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
Bechstein's bat is a species of vesper bat found in Europe and western Asia, living in extensive areas of woodland.
Bechstein's Bat faces severe population declines primarily due to the loss and fragmentation of old-growth deciduous forests, which provide essential roosting sites in tree cavities. Human disturbance of roost sites, particularly in buildings and caves used for hibernation, along with intensive forest management practices that remove dead and hollow trees, further threaten this forest-dependent species.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Bechstein's bat can be found in the following countries: Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Bechstein's Bat faces severe population declines primarily due to the loss and fragmentation of old-growth deciduous forests, which provide essential roosting sites in tree cavities. Human disturbance of roost sites, particularly in buildings and caves used for hibernation, along with intensive forest management practices that remove dead and hollow trees, further threaten this forest-dependent species.
Deforestation and forest fragmentation
Intensive forest management and logging
Loss of old-growth trees with suitable cavities
Climate change affecting forest composition
Human disturbance at roost and hibernation sites
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | VUVulnerable | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | VUVulnerable | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bechstein's Bat (Myotis bechsteinii). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bechsteins-bat