Eptesicus isabellinus (Temminck, 1840)
Vespertilionidae

Least Concern

Description

Medium-sized bat, very similar to the serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus), although slightly smaller and paler. Head-body length between 46 and 55 mm, with a forearm between 44 and 54 mm and a weight between 13 and 24 g. Light brown fur, sometimes appearing somewhat yellowish, with the ventral area slightly lighter. Face and ears are dark brown without being completely black as in the serotine bat.

Distribution

It is found from the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula to northwest Africa, from Morocco to Libya, always above the Sahara Desert. This bat is reported in the Atlas Mountains, as well as in the Canary Islands (Lanzarote). In the Iberian Peninsula, this species appears to have an allopatric distribution with the serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus), with the former found in Andalusia and the southern regions of Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha.

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Roosts and phenology

It primarily roosts in rock crevices on walls or cave entrances, and to a lesser extent in tree hollows. It also uses anthropogenic structures such as buildings and bridges, as well as ancient ruins. Breeding colonies begin to form in late April and early May, usually near bodies of water. These colonies typically include one to several dozen females. In Algeria, a breeding colony of more than 30 individuals was found in a hollow date palm. Males predominantly seek refuge alone. Births start between the second half of June and the first half of July, with one to two offspring per birth. The nursing of juveniles continues until mid-August, when the breeding colony begins to disperse.

It is considered a sedentary species, with little variation between winter and summer roosts.

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Habitat and diet

The habitat of this species includes open cultivated landscapes, Mediterranean forests, and open shrubland areas. In the semidesert areas of its distribution, it is associated with bodies of water and oases with denser vegetation. This species is found from sea level up to an altitude limit of 1,180 m.

The main prey of this species includes lepidopterans, dipterans, coleopterans, and hemipterans, with the latter two predominating in certain locations. Its flight is fast and maneuverable around trees and rocks, hunting its prey in the air. Hunting areas are typically wooded and shrubby areas with a good proportion of trees and nearby water bodies such as channels, rivers, or ponds.