The brown long-eared bat
As the name suggests
Characteristic of this bat species are the large ears which enable it to hear very weak sounds. Its extremely sensitive hearing plays a key role in its special way of catching prey.
Passive listener
The brown long-eared bat flies alongside bushes and listens for the weak sounds of insects as they move their wings or travel across leaf surfaces. Sometimes the bat hovers in the air with fluttering wings, listening and snapping up insects.
Silent hunter
In this hunt, echo location is not used. It is thus more difficult for moths to hear the bat on its hunt. A disadvantage for the hunter is that it is not able to detect any moth that sits completely still.
Easy prey
Once detected, a moth has little chance of escape. It is hindered by vegetation when it tries to fly away or dive to the ground with folded wings.
