One of the 29 bats on WAnimals
Mammals · Chiroptera · Vespertilionidae
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellus
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
In 1999 it was formally split into two species purely on the frequency of their echolocation calls, despite being almost identical in form. Females delay fertilisation through delayed implantation.
Weight
3 g – 8 g
Size
3.5 cm – 5.2 cm
Lifespan
5 years
Diet
Insectivore
Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.
Activity
Nocturnal
Active mainly at night.
Social structure
Colony
Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- It was split into two species in 1999 purely on the frequency of its echolocation calls.
- It is one of the smallest bats in Europe.
- Females delay fertilisation from autumn mating until the spring.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
- Habitat & environment
- A wide range of habitats across much of Europe, North Africa and Central and South Asia, towns and gardens included
- Birth weight
- 1,125 grams
- Size at birth
- The young naked at birth
- Sexual maturity
- Female: 1 year | Male: 2 years
- Gestation / incubation
- 42-50 days (with implantation delayed from autumn mating to the following spring)
- Litter / clutch size
- 1 to 2 young per litter (most commonly 1)
Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); iBats.org.uk; Animalia.bio; Animal Diversity Web; Wikipedia (Common pipistrelle)
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapBest time: From April to October, just at dusk; it is the commonest bat in European towns and cities and hunts around street lamps.
Where to watch it
Parques y spots de buceo donde se ha documentado esta especie — se muestran 10 de 145 documentados.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Common Pipistrelle — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Greater Mouse-eared Bat
Myotis myotis
Serotine
Eptesicus serotinus
Common Noctule
Nyctalus noctula
Western Barbastelle
Barbastella barbastellus
Natterer's Bat
Myotis nattereri
Giant Noctule
Nyctalus lasiopterus
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about common pipistrelle.
Comments
Share an experience, a fun fact or a tip for seeing the common pipistrelle.
Be the first to comment.