Eric Medard / naturepl

Leisler’s Bat

Leisler’s Bat facts

Status

Native and Least Concern

Native and listed as Least Concern on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Near Threatened in the UK. Scarce throughout Britain but common in Ireland. Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

Scientific name

Nyctalus leisleri

Average Lifespan

Up to 9 years

Length

5 - 7cm

Wingspan

26cm - 32cm

Weight

12 - 20g

Surveying Services

Bat Dropping ID Biological Species ID

Overview

Found across the British Isles, except the northern reaches of Scotland. Ireland is considered a stronghold for Leisler’s bats with it being among the top three species and due to its nearly threatened status, these populations should be in receipt of special conservation attention.

Leisler’s bats are often referred to as the “hairy-armed bat” owing to the long fur around their shoulders and upper back resembling a lion’s mane. They are typically active earlier in the evening and remain out until dawn with their echolocation calls sometimes audible to the human ear.

Leisler’s bats are typically a forest species, commonly roosting and hibernating tree holes, with bat boxes providing a suitable alternative to natural roost sites. In houses, Leisler’s bats can be found towards the gable ends of lofts and amongst tiles.

Sampling Advice

A dropping sample with sufficient biological material to be used as a reserve is required in case the extraction is unsuccessful the first time: the fresher a sample is, the more likely the test will be able to extract viable DNA.
Other viable sample types include fur/hair, tissue and blood.