Eastern Barbastelle
Location: Baramulla
Image: Maqsood Ahmad Wani
Eastern Barbastelle
Location: Baramulla
Image: Maqsood Ahmad Wani
Eastern Barbastelle Barbastella darjelingensis
The Eastern Barbastelle is a small and elusive bat species found across parts of Asia, including the Himalayan region, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It typically inhabits forested areas, caves, and rocky crevices at elevations ranging from lowlands to over 3,000 meters.
This bat is characterized by its broad, rounded ears that are joined at the base and a flattened face. Its fur is dark brown to black, with a paler, frosted appearance on the tips of the hair. The Eastern Barbastelle has a body length of 4–5 cm, a wingspan of 25–30 cm, and weighs around 6–10 grams. It is adapted for swift, agile flight, making it adept at hunting in dense vegetation.
The Eastern Barbastelle primarily feeds on small insects, such as moths, flies, and beetles, using echolocation to detect prey in flight. It prefers undisturbed habitats with ample tree cover and water sources.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
IWLPA: Not Defined
CITES: Not Defined