Grey Long-eared Bat
Plecotus austriacus
The grey long-eared bat is a fairly large European bat. It has distinctive ears, long and with a distinctive fold.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_long-eared_bat
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Chiroptera
Family
Vespertilionidae
Genus
Plecotus
Grey Long-eared Bat belongs to the family Vespertilionidae, order Chiroptera, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The grey long-eared bat is a fairly large European bat. It has distinctive ears, long and with a distinctive fold. It hunts above woodland, often by day, and mostly for moths. In captivity, it has also been recorded to eat small lizards. It is extremely similar to the more common brown long-eared bat, and was only distinguished in the 1960s, but has a paler belly.
The Grey Long-eared Bat faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development, which eliminates crucial foraging areas and roosting sites. Climate change is altering insect prey availability and distribution patterns, while disturbance to roost sites in buildings and caves further threatens remaining populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Its main foraging habitats are lowland meadows and marshes.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Grey Long-eared Bat faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development, which eliminates crucial foraging areas and roosting sites. Climate change is altering insect prey availability and distribution patterns, while disturbance to roost sites in buildings and caves further threatens remaining populations.
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Roost site disturbance and destruction
Urban development and building renovation
Climate change impacts on prey availability
Light pollution affecting foraging behavior
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | 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). Grey Long-eared Bat (Plecotus austriacus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/grey-long-eared-bat