Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 2432564

Particoloured Bat

Vespertilio murinus

Also known as Parti-coloured Bat, Rearmouse, Frosted Bat

Particoloured bats are easily recognized by their striking fur, featuring dark brown roots with pale, silver-frosted tips that create a glittering metallic appearance. During late autumn, males display unique courtship rituals, uttering high-pitched chirps audible to human ears while performing display flights around tall buildings and cliffs. These wide-ranging bats travel remarkable distances between summer breeding colonies and winter roosts across temperate Eurasia.

NocturnalMigratoryInsectivorous
Particoloured Bat reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Magne Flåten, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Moths
  • Mosquitoes
  • Caddisflies
Predators
  • Barn Owls
  • Peregrine Falcons
  • Domestic Cats
ThreatsWind turbine collisions, roost site destruction, and pesticide reduction of prey
HabitatsTemperate forests, open steppes, rocky cliffs, and urban areas
Life span12–20 years
Classification
  1. OrderChiroptera
  2. FamilyVespertilionidae
  3. GenusVespertilio
  4. SpeciesVespertilio murinus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can bite defensively and carry bat lyssaviruses; avoid handling grounded or roosting individuals.
Why it is dangerous
Can transmit rabies-related lyssaviruses through saliva and possesses sharp teeth capable of breaking human skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Medium-sized bat with distinctive silver-tipped dark brown dorsal fur and white underparts.
What to do
Do not touch barehanded; if found indoors or grounded, isolate the animal and contact bat rescue professionals.
Responsible observation
  • Evening Observing: Look near streetlights or open water bodies at dusk where bats gather to hunt flying insects.
  • Courtship Listening: Listen around high urban structures in late autumn for the distinctive metallic calls of displaying males.
  • Grounded Bats: Never touch a grounded bat with bare hands; contact a local wildlife rehabilitate group.
Related species
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Species set

Moonlight Marvels

Particoloured Bat is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

—/7
Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…