# Schreibers' bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) - Web page: https://www.funwildfacts.com/europa/mammal/schreibers-bat - Published: 2026-05-30 - Last updated: 2026-05-30 ## Overview Schreibers' bat, also known as the common bent-wing bat, is a medium-sized bat with a remarkable appearance and fascinating behavior. This species is characterized by its short, broad ears and long, narrow wings that are perfectly adapted for fast and sustained flight. The fur is dense and soft, with a dark gray to brownish-gray upper side and a somewhat lighter underside. A particularly distinctive feature is the third finger bone, which is significantly longer than the others, giving the genus its name Miniopterus (small-winged). These bats weigh between 9 and 16 grams and have a wingspan of 30-34 centimeters. This species is one of the most social bats in the world, forming colonies that can contain thousands or even hundreds of thousands of individuals. They prefer to roost in caves, abandoned tunnels, and other underground structures where the temperature is stable and humidity is high. During summer, females gather in maternity colonies to give birth and raise their young, while males often form separate groups. Schreibers' bat is known for its ability to fly long distances between roosting sites, and some populations undertake seasonal migrations between summer and winter quarters. Their hunting behavior is impressively efficient. They fly high above treetops or over open landscapes, catching flying insects, especially moths and beetles, using echolocation. Their high-frequency calls typically range between 50-55 kHz, helping them navigate and find prey even in total darkness. The species can fly at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour and is known for its endurance – they can hunt actively for several hours each night. Unfortunately, Schreibers' bat has declined dramatically in many parts of its range, particularly in Europe where it is now classified as Near Threatened. Major threats include disturbance of cave colonies, loss of foraging habitat due to intensive agriculture and pesticides, and climate change affecting their prey species. The species has disappeared entirely from several former areas of occurrence, and many remaining colonies are vulnerable. Conservation efforts focus on protecting important cave sites and creating wildlife-friendly agricultural landscapes where the bats can find food. ## Quick facts - Weight: 9–16 g - Length: 4.8–6.1 cm - Wingspan: 30–34 cm - Top Speed: 50 km/h - Lifespan: 12–19 yrs - Diet: Insectivore - Conservation Status: Least Concern ## Habitat Schreibers' bat is heavily dependent on caves and cave-like environments for day roosts and hibernation. They prefer large caves with high ceilings and multiple chambers where the temperature remains relatively constant between 8-12°C during winter and somewhat warmer during summer. These environments must have high humidity and be relatively undisturbed by human activity. The species occurs from lowlands up to 2000 meters elevation, but most colonies are found in regions with mild climates near the Mediterranean, in Africa, Asia, and Australia. For foraging, they prefer open to semi-open landscapes such as savannas, pastures, agricultural areas with mosaic structure, and forest edges. They often fly high above treetops or over open fields where they can catch flying insects. Proximity to waterways and lakes is also important because such areas attract many insects. During seasonal migrations, they can cross different habitats and use temporary roosting sites in smaller caves, buildings, or under bridges. - cave - Mountain - Forest - Woodland - Rocky Cliffs - Farmland - Urban ## Seasonal Behavior Schreibers' bat shows clear seasonal patterns in its behavior. During spring, many populations migrate from winter roosts to maternity colonies where females gather to give birth to their young in May-June. The gestation period is approximately 60 days, and pups are born in early summer. During summer, activity is at its peak, with intensive night hunting to build up fat reserves and to feed the young. In autumn, many populations move to winter quarters, often in deeper caves with stable temperatures. Winter is spent in hibernation where they hang upside down in clusters and dramatically reduce their metabolism to conserve energy. In regions with milder climates, particularly in Africa and Asia, they can remain active year-round if food is available. ## Breeding - Gestation: 60 days - Offspring: 1–1 ## Behavior & Ecology - Activity Pattern: Nocturnal - Social Behavior: Extremely social species that forms very large colonies with thousands to millions of individuals. Females and males often live separately during summer. - Migration: Partial Migrant - Population: Global population unknown, but declining in Europe where the species is Near Threatened ## Did you know? - Schreibers' bat can live up to 19 years, which is exceptionally long for such a small mammal! - These bats can fly over 100 kilometers in a single night when searching for food or new roosting sites. - A single colony can contain over one million individuals – imagine the chorus of all those echolocation calls! - Females give birth to only one pup per year, making the species particularly vulnerable to population declines. - Their third finger is so long that it makes up nearly half the wing length – hence the name bent-wing bat! - They can eat up to half their own body weight in insects each night when building up fat reserves. - Schreibers' bats have been found in caves alongside other bat species, where they all coexist despite different needs. - A mother can recognize her own pup among thousands of others through unique calls and scent markers – a real super-mom! ## Taxonomy - Kingdom: Animalia - Class: Mammalia - Order: Chiroptera - Family: Miniopteridae - Species: Miniopterus schreibersii ## Image - URL: https://images.djurfakta.com/animals/schreibers-fingerfladdermus/1778069143523-1.jpg - Photo: Andrew Smith - License: Public domain ## Other languages - sv: https://www.djurfakta.com/europa/mammal/schreibers-fingerfladdermus - da: https://www.dyrefakta.com/da/europa/mammal/schreibers-langfingret-flagermus - no: https://www.dyrefakta.com/europa/mammal/schreibers-langfingret-flaggermus