Description
The northern bat is dark brown or black with some gold touched at the tip of the hairs in the head and back region. Its nose, ears, tail and wings are black or blackish brown. The coat on the ventral side is yellowish brown. It has short and rounded ears. It body length is with a wing span of , and it weighs depending on the season.Distribution and habitat
The northern bat is widespread throughout Eurasia, and is the most common bat in the northern part of the continent. It occurs from northern Scandinavia beyond the Arctic Circle to northern Italy, and eastern England to northern Japan. It favours forest uplands at elevations of .Behaviour and ecology
Northern bat colonies have moved as far as over a period of several years. It breeds in late autumn, and the females stores the male sperm over the winter. Hibernation begins in November to December and lasts until April. Females become pregnant in spring and give birth 50–60 days later. In summer, males dwell alone. Females form a colony of 10–80 adults in early summer, which they disband in August, when young bats are able to fly. Winter colonies are often found in houses, and natural or artificial underground habitats.Hunting
Northern bats are nocturnal and fast flying, adapted to hunting airborne insects using echolocation. For example, northern bats commonly huntGenetics
The northern bat is closely related to the serotine bat (''Eptesicus serotinus''). They are distinguishable by appearance but the genetic difference between the two species is an intraspecific variation.References
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