This selection of Irish animals, native or introduced, is taken from the Appletree Press title Animals of Ireland. There will be a number of extracts from the book in coming months. The book contains highly detailed full colour illustrations to complement the detailed explanatory text.

Long-eared Bat
Plecotus auritus
Ialtóg chluasach

The ears of this bat are almost as long as its body but they are usually extended only in flight. When roosting or in hibernation the ears are folded down beneath the wings giving them a strange 'ram's-horn' appearance. Roosting usually takes place in attics, roof beams and similar roof spaces. The bats huddle together in groups of up to thirty or forty. Hibernation often occurs in old buildings but also in dark caverns beneath the ground. There are two Long-eared bats in Britain – the Grey long-eared and the Brown long-eared – but only the latter is found in Ireland. The fur is brownish, paler beneath. The young are, however, greyish.

This bat is common and widespread throughout Ireland and is thought to migrate in some instances. The flight dimensions are: wingspan 25 cm (10 inches); width 7.5 cm (3 inches).

Other Flying Mammals from Animals of Ireland include:
Daubenton's Bat |
Leisler's Bat |
Lesser-horseshoe Bat |
Natterer's Bat |
Pipistrelle |
Whiskered Bat