Western Barbastelle
Barbastella barbastellus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_barbastelle
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Chiroptera
Family
Vespertilionidae
Genus
Barbastella
Western Barbastelle belongs to the family Vespertilionidae, order Chiroptera, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
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.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
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.
Climate change affecting prey species distribution
Forest habitat loss and fragmentation
Pesticide use reducing insect prey availability
Roost site destruction in old buildings and trees
Light pollution disrupting 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 | VUVulnerable | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | VUVulnerable | 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). Western Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/western-barbastelle