The common pipistrelle is a small bat species, one of Europe’s most widespread bats. These adaptable creatures inhabit a variety of environments, from natural woodlands and farmlands to suburban gardens and urban centers. Their presence often goes unnoticed due to their nocturnal habits and diminutive size, yet they are a regular part of many ecosystems.
Identifying a Common Pipistrelle
The common pipistrelle (scientific name: Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is among the smallest bat species found in Europe. Its body length typically ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 centimeters, with a wingspan of about 20 to 23.5 centimeters, weighing usually between 3 and 8 grams, comparable to a pound coin. Its fur is dark to golden-brown on the back, becoming paler on the underside.
A distinguishing feature is its dark face and muzzle, along with short ears. These bats have an erratic and agile flight pattern as they pursue insects, often flying at heights of 2 to 10 meters above ground.
Where They Live and What They Eat
Common pipistrelles show adaptability in their choice of habitat, found in woodlands, along hedgerows, in grasslands, farmlands, and urban areas like gardens and parks. These bats often prefer linear landscape features such as treelines and woodland edges, which they use for navigation while foraging.
During the day, common pipistrelles roost in secluded spots, often utilizing crevices found in buildings, such as behind hanging tiles, in soffits, or within cavity walls. They also use natural crevices in trees and artificial bat boxes for their summer roosts. In the summer, females form maternity colonies, typically numbering around 50 bats, to give birth to a single pup in June or early July. For hibernation during colder months, from November to March, they seek cool, stable, and humid conditions, often found in building crevices, tree holes, or occasionally underground cellars.
The common pipistrelle is an insectivore, relying on flying insects for its diet. They are aerial hunters, catching their prey while in flight. Their diet primarily consists of small flying insects such as midges, mosquitoes, flies, and sometimes lacewings or moths. A single common pipistrelle can consume thousands of midges in a single night.
Their Unique World of Sound
Common pipistrelles navigate and hunt using a biological sonar system known as echolocation. This process involves the bats emitting high-frequency sounds, often referred to as ultrasound, which are above the range of human hearing. These sounds travel outwards and bounce off objects in their environment, creating echoes that return to the bat’s sensitive ears.
By interpreting the time delay, intensity, and direction of these returning echoes, the common pipistrelle constructs a “sound map” of its surroundings. This allows them to navigate through darkness, avoid obstacles, and pinpoint the location and movement of their insect prey. Their echolocation calls typically peak around 45 kilohertz (kHz) and are short in duration, usually around 3 to 6 milliseconds. While these calls are generally inaudible to humans, specialized bat detectors can convert these ultrasonic frequencies into sounds that people can hear.
Coexisting with Pipistrelles
Common pipistrelles frequently share urban and suburban environments with humans, often roosting in buildings such as attics or sheds. Their presence is generally beneficial, as they play a substantial role in controlling local insect populations by consuming large numbers of midges and mosquitoes. This natural pest control reduces the need for chemical insecticides, contributing to healthier ecosystems.
These bats are protected under various wildlife laws. It is generally advised not to handle bats directly, as they are wild animals and can bite if they feel threatened. If a bat is found injured or appears to be in distress, contacting a local wildlife rescue organization or bat conservation group is the appropriate action. They are not considered harmful to humans and instances of rabies in wild bats are rare, with bites usually occurring only when people attempt to handle them.