# Geoffroy's Bat (*Myotis emarginatus*) Geoffroy's Bat is a small, friendly bat that loves to eat insects! They have special ears that help them hear very well, even in the dark. These bats are great at flying and can be seen at dusk. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Geoffroy's Bat](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%D0%9B%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%BC%D1%8B%D1%88%D1%8C_%D0%B2_%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5_%D1%83%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%8F.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ezra Sheyner, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9B%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%83%D1%87%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%BC%D1%8B%D1%88%D1%8C_%D0%B2_%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B5_%D1%83%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%8F.jpg) ## Appearance The Geoffroy's Bat has fluffy, reddish-brown fur on its back with a contrasting paler underside. It is distinguished by its unique heart-shaped, deeply notched ears and a long, pointed tragus, giving it a distinctive facial appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Chiroptera - **Family:** Vespertilionidae - **Genus:** Myotis ## Interesting facts - Despite their small size, some Geoffroy's Bats can live for over 15 years! - Geoffroy's Bats often roost in warm, damp caves or attics during the day. - Their unique notched ears help them 'funnel' sounds for better echolocation. - They sometimes glean insects directly from leaves, not just catching them in flight. ## Special abilities - **Sound Radar:** Geoffroy's Bat can hunt tiny flying insects in complete darkness because of its amazing echolocation. - **Night Glider:** Geoffroy's Bat has powerful wings that help them fly silently and quickly through the night to catch food. - **Air Acrobat:** Geoffroy's Bat can perform agile aerial maneuvers, helping them snatch insects right out of the air. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4.2-5.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 22-29 cm - **Weight:** 0.007-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-19 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 50-60 days ## Diet & Feeding These agile fliers mostly feast on small flying insects they catch at night. - **Primary Foods:** Moths, Beetles, Craneflies, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — Hunted by these nocturnal birds of prey. - **Eaten by:** [Stone Marten](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stone-marten) (*Martes foina*) — Can be predated in roosts by this agile mammal. - **Hunts:** Large Yellow Underwing Moth (*Noctua pronuba*) — Actively pursues and catches this common moth in flight. - **Symbiotic with:** [Lesser Horseshoe Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-horseshoe-bat) (*Rhinolophus hipposideros*) — Often shares nursery and hibernation roosts with this species. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Bats are usually shy and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Geoffroy's Bat? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Geoffroy's Bat? 4.2-5.5 cm ### What is Geoffroy's Bat's wingspan? 22-29 cm ### How much does Geoffroy's Bat weigh? 0.007-0.015 kg ### How long does Geoffroy's Bat live? 10-19 years ### How fast can Geoffroy's Bat move? 40 km/h ### What does Geoffroy's Bat eat? These agile fliers mostly feast on small flying insects they catch at night. ### Where is Geoffroy's Bat usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Schlosspark Herrenchiemsee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schlosspark-herrenchiemsee) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Romagna Gypsum Ridge Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/romagna-gypsum-ridge-regional-park) — IT · Park ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Geoffroy's Bat: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/geoffroys-bat)