Mammals · Chiroptera · Molossidae

European Free-Tailed Bat

Tadarida teniotis

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The European free-tailed bat is a species of microchiropteran bat of the family Molossidae. It is one of the largest Canarian bats, at about 12 cm in length, with long, narrow wings and the typical head of the genus Tadarida, with stiff ears pointing forward. The tail projects beyond the tail membrane and is drawn back into the uropatagium in flight. Females of this species are larger than males.

Weight

25 g – 50 g

Size

8 cm – 9 cm

Lifespan

10 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

Temperate forestMountainInsectivore Nocturnal Colonial Temperate forest Mountain Mammal

13countries 1parks2same family

Fun facts

Its echolocation uses frequencies so low, around 10 kilohertz, that many people can hear it directly: it is one of the few European bats audible without a detector.
It flies hundreds of metres above the ground, far higher than any other European bat, chasing migrating moths in the open air.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Cliff crevices, rock faces and tall buildings; it hunts in open airspace
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 46 days
Litter / clutch size: 1

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadarida_teniotis