# Savi's Pipistrelle (*Hypsugo savii*) Savi's Pipistrelle is a tiny bat that loves to fly around at night. They are great at catching insects and can be found in many places across Europe. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Savi's Pipistrelle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hypsugo_savii_Trtar_cropped.jpg&width=800) Photo: Hypsugo_savii_Trtar.jpg : Tomaž Jančar derivative work: Linnea, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hypsugo_savii_Trtar_cropped.jpg) ## Appearance The Savi's Pipistrelle is a small bat with sleek, yellowish-brown fur on its back, contrasting with paler, grayish-white fur on its belly. It has a distinctive dark mask around its eyes and small, dark, rounded ears. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Chiroptera - **Family:** Vespertilionidae - **Genus:** Hypsugo ## Interesting facts - Savi's Pipistrelles can sometimes migrate long distances, flying over 20 kilometers to find food! - Their amazing echolocation calls are mostly too high-pitched for human ears to detect! - These tiny bats often roost in rock crevices high on mountains, even above 2,000 meters! - They use specialized claws on their feet to hang upside down while sleeping, completely safe! ## Special abilities - **Sound Navigator:** Savi's Pipistrelle can 'see' in total darkness using sound waves because their unique vocalizations bounce off objects, creating a detailed mental map. - **Agile Aerialist:** Savi's Pipistrelle has incredibly flexible wings that help them perform intricate aerial acrobatics, allowing them to chase fast-moving insect prey. - **Energy Saver:** Savi's Pipistrelle can temporarily lower its body temperature and metabolism because this helps them save energy during cold periods. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-5.4 cm - **Wingspan:** 22-28 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.012 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-12 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 40-50 days ## Diet & Feeding They are insectivores that feast on small flying bugs like moths, mosquitoes, and beetles. - **Primary Foods:** Moths, Mosquitoes, Beetles, Caddisflies, Midges - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — A primary insect prey for this bat. - **Hunts:** [Large Yellow Underwing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-yellow-underwing) (*Noctua pronuba*) — Moths are a significant part of their diet. - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — Tawny owls are common predators of small bats. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 bother you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Savi's Pipistrelle? 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 Savi's Pipistrelle? 4-5.4 cm ### What is Savi's Pipistrelle's wingspan? 22-28 cm ### How much does Savi's Pipistrelle weigh? 0.005-0.012 kg ### How long does Savi's Pipistrelle live? 5-12 years ### How fast can Savi's Pipistrelle move? 30 km/h ### What does Savi's Pipistrelle eat? They are insectivores that feast on small flying bugs like moths, mosquitoes, and beetles. ### Where is Savi's Pipistrelle usually found? Urban areas ## 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: [Savi's Pipistrelle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/savis-pipistrelle)