Barbastelle Bat
CR

Barbastelle Bat

Barbastella barbastellus

UnknownVUEUVUEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_barbastelle

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Western Barbastelle faces severe population declines across its European range due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized forest ecosystems. Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of its preferred moth prey species, while increased pesticide use has dramatically reduced insect populations that this species depends upon for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Mature deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly beech and oak forests with dense canopy cover, where it roosts in tree crevices and old buildings. Also utilizes forest edges, parklands, and wooded river valleys, typically foraging along woodland paths and clearings at heights of 3-6 meters.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Vespertilionidae

Pond BatVU

Pond Bat

Myotis dasycneme

Unknown
Bechstein's BatEN

Bechstein's Bat

Myotis bechsteinii

Unknown
Natterer's BatCR

Natterer's Bat

Myotis nattereri

Unknown
Grey Long-eared BatCR

Grey Long-eared Bat

Plecotus austriacus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Barbastelle Bat classified as Critically Endangered?
Barbastelle Bat is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Western Barbastelle faces severe population declines across its European range due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized forest ecosystems. Climate change is altering the distribution and abundance of its preferred moth prey species, while increased pesticide use has dramatically reduced insect populations that this species depends upon for survival.
Where does Barbastelle Bat live?
Barbastelle Bat occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Barbastelle Bat?
The main threats to Barbastelle Bat are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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