Species · GBIF taxon 5218465
Common Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus pipistrellusAlso known as Common Pipistrelle Bat, Pipistrelle Bat
These tiny bats emerge just after sunset, darting erratically through gardens and woodland edges to hunt thousands of aquatic midges and gnats each night. During summer, females gather in warm maternity roosts inside building crevices, where they give birth to a single pup. As winter approaches, they seek out cool, humid crevices in caves, trees, or brickwork to hibernate.
NocturnalInsectivorousUrban-Adapted
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Midges
- Mosquitoes
- Small Moths
Predators
- Domestic Cats
- Barn Owls
- Eurasian Sparrowhawks
ThreatsHabitat loss, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and building renovations
HabitatsWoodlands, urban parks, gardens, wetlands, and residential areas
Life span4 to 8 years, though some individuals live up to 16 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyVespertilionidae
- SpeciesPipistrellus pipistrellus
Native
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can carry rabies-like viruses and bite if handled; observe from a distance and never touch without gloves.
- Why it is dangerous
- Can carry European Bat Lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus, and may bite defensively if handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a tiny body, dark brown fur, and a rapid, erratic flight pattern around streetlights at dusk.
- What to do
- Never touch a grounded or injured bat with bare hands; contact a local wildlife rescue immediately.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their tiny size and tendency to roost in tight crevices of buildings or behind hanging tiles.
- Support conservation
- Avoid disturbing active roosts and consult conservation authorities before undertaking building repairs.
Responsible observation
- Dusk Watching: Stand near tree lines, garden ponds, or streetlights at twilight to watch their jerky, erratic hunting flights.
- Bat Detectors: Use a heterodyne bat detector tuned to 45 kilohertz to convert their ultrasonic echolocation clicks into audible pops.
- Roost Protection: Install bat boxes on south-facing walls or mature trees to provide safe roosting sites away from predators.
Co-habitant (c) kitbeard, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator (c) Stanislav Murashkin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Stanislav Murashkin · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) fs-phil, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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