Northern Bat

Eptesicus nilssonii

Appearance

Image of Northern Bat (Eptesicus nilssonii) | Rentokil Singapore
  • 54 to 64 mm in length.
  • Approx 3,5 to 8-12g in weight.
  • Forearm length 37-44mm with a wingspan from 240 to 280mm.
  • Mid brown fur, black ears with yellow fur on tip.
  • Tiny bodies with short hind legs and short, wide ears.

Lifecycle

  • Mate in Autumn, just before hibernation, but the females egg cells not fertilised until spring.
  • Once embryo starts to grow gestation is 6-7 weeks with usually just one baby being born in the summer.
  • The Baby bats are tiny, blind for about a week and hairless. They rely on warmth for growth and development.
  • The young bat lives on its mother’s back – and is fed solely on her milk – until it can fly and hunt for itself; usually between 3-6 weeks.
  • Northern bats can live up to 4-5 years.

Habits

  • Bats are the only mammals in the world capable of natural flight.
  • Bats live together in colonies. During the summer these are typically in trees, buildings that are accessible through gaps – they only require a space of 13mm to gain access through - or the eaves or rock crevices.
  • Northern bats hibernate in the winter; they gradually stop feeding and find themselves a suitable spot to hibernate – usually in crevices in buildings and trees.
  • Bats feed off lacewings, small moths, mosquitoes and midges and search for these over water, woodland, marshes and even urban areas.
  • Bats usually emerge from their roost shortly after sunset and spend the night foraging for food.
  • Bats do not damage to buildings that they roost in – other than the mess their droppings cause.
  • Bats are not aggressive, although like any wild animal, they may bite to defend.
  • IMPORTANT: Bats are protected by Norwegian law. Use of poison, blocking from habitat or moving nest when having babies, etc is prohibited.