Identification
Small and deceptively similar to its cousin, the Whiskered bat, *Myotis brandtii* is best identified by its luxurious, shaggy fur which often boasts a distinct golden-bronze sheen on the tips. Look for a pale, pinkish-brown face and ears, which contrast with the darker, sootier features of the Whiskered bat. In the hand, the tragus (the projection inside the ear) is long and sharply pointed. However, the definitive field mark for males is the morphology of the penis, which is distinctly club-shaped and thickened at the tip, rather than tapered. They are remarkably light, weighing roughly the same as a single sheet of A4 paper (5–9g).
Habitat & Range
Spanning from Western Europe across to the Russian Far East, Brandt’s bat is a true creature of the forest. It thrives in well-watered deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly those near lakes or slow-moving riparian corridors. While they occasionally venture into gardens, they are less "urban" than other *Myotis* species, preferring the sanctuary of ancient timber where they roost in tree crevices, under loose bark, or in dedicated bat boxes.
Behaviour & Diet
Watch for them at deep dusk; they are agile, low-flying "aerial acrobats" that weave through the understory with incredible precision. They are skilled "gleaners," frequently hovering to snatch spiders or caterpillars directly from leaves, though they also "hawk" moths and midges mid-air. In summer, females form social maternity colonies of up to several hundred individuals, while they spend the winter hibernating in the stable microclimates of caves, mines, or tunnels.
Fascinating Fact
For its size, Brandt’s bat is a biological miracle of longevity. While most small mammals live only a few years, a male *Myotis brandtii* in Siberia was recorded living to the ripe old age of 41! Proportionally, that is equivalent to a human living for over 250 years.