The Top 10 Largest Bats in England (And Where You Might Encounter Them)

There are 18 species of bats appearing in the United Kingdom (made of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). All but one of the species breeds and permanently resides in those countries. All these bat species exist in England, which is the southernmost country of the British Isles.

Bats found in England are on average much smaller than their relatives in the United States and Canada. English law protects all British bats due to their populations’ rapid decline during the last several decades. In contrast, only a handful of bat species are classified as endangered in North America.

The following are the 10 largest bats present in England. Data comes from the Bat Conservation Trust, which is committed to the conservation of British bats. While measurements between species may vary, we rank the following bats by shortest to widest average wingspan.

10. Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) – 9-11.2 inches

The brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) has long ears that span almost the entire length of its body. It also goes by the name “whispering bat” due to its noiseless echolocation compared to other species. Their giant ears provide the bats with an exceptional hearing range. They locate insect prey from only slight movements or vibrations. 

The species sometimes relaxes its ears so they’re not always visible. They either curl them back on top of their head or tuck them under their wings. Adult brown long-eared bats are stereotypically light brown while the younger bats are greyer in color. This makes them easily confusable with the similar, but rarer, grey long-eared bat.

Unlike many other bat species, the brown long-eared bat catches its prey using a method called “gleaning.” Instead of hunting insects high, gleaners catch their prey by hovering above the ground or gliding in a slow dive.

The brown long-eared bat prefers nesting in areas where insects are abundant, like woods and wetlands. They also commonly build roosts in places where they are likely to be undisturbed, such as old buildings or barns.

The brown long-eared bat has a wingspan between 9 and 11.2 inches, making it the smallest species on our list. The length of its head and body are also the least, spanning just 1.5 to 2 inches. Like many other bat species in England, this mammal weighs between 0.2 and 0.4 ounces.

9. Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) – 9.4-10.8 inches

The Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentoniid) chooses to hunt and establish colonies near damp areas, such as rivers, lakes, and canals. This results in the moniker “water bat.” The species hunts its prey by flying low and slow over the water. It sometimes scoops up its insect prey using its tail or feet.

The feet of a Daubenton’s bat are bigger than those of other bat species in Britain. They also have distinctive bristles on their toes. This combination allows the bats to skim over the surface of the water to nab midges and caddisflies with ease. Daubenton’s bats typically have black wings, brown fluffy fur, and a pale grey underside. They have a pinkish-red face but are bare around the eyes.

The Daubenton’s bat has a wider initial wingspan than the brown long-eared bat with a range of 9.4 to 10.8 inches. This bat is between 1.8 and 2.2 inches long and—like the previous—also weighs between 0.2 and 0.4 ounces.

8. Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri) – 9.6-11.8 inches

The Natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri) is relatively common in England. Its pink limbs contribute to its occasional nickname of the “red-armed bat.” Like Daubenton’s bats, Natterer’s bats like to stay near humid areas with plenty of vegetation. Typical habitats are forests with nearby rivers or lakes. Natterer’s bats prefer to catch their prey in flight or from the foliage of trees. They also slowly hunt insects over the water by gleaning. This species’ diet consists of easy targets like flightless and non-nocturnal bugs.

This bat is similar in appearance to the Daubenton’s bat with its brownish-grey fur and pink face. The Natterer’s bat has a distinctive white belly, which makes it less difficult to spot at night compared to others. Another defining characteristic is the fringe of stiff bristles between its hind limbs, which curve into an “S” shape.

The Natterer’s bat has a wingspan between 9.6 and 11.8 inches. It is between 1.6 and 2 inches in length, and it weighs between 0.2 and 0.4 ounces.

7. Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteinii) – 9.8-11.8 inches

The Bechstein’s bat is one of the rarest species of bat in England. Small populations nest in the southern regions. The mammal scarcely appears outside of its dense woodland habitat and is difficult to find in the wild. The Bechstein’s bat is one of England’s most endangered species, primarily due to the destruction of its habitat. The species prefers to roost in forests with dense populations of old trees, such as beech and oak. This ancient woodland currently only covers about two percent of the United Kingdom.

Because of its unusualness, limited information exists on the Bechstein’s bat. The mammal has long ears, a pink face, reddish-brown fur, and a greyish underbelly. Bechstein bats in England eat moths and flies like other bat species, but also grasshoppers and nut weevils. Populations with less woodland cover also sometimes hunt spiders, larvae, and other non-flying insects. 

The Bechstein’s bat has a wingspan between 9.8 and 11.8 inches and it is between 1.7 and 2.1 inches long. This species weighs between 0.2 and 0.5 ounces, barely surpassing the Natterer’s bat’s measurements on this list.

6. Grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) – 10-11.8 inches

Unlike its brown-colored cousin, the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) is a rare species. It lives only in the meadows and marshes of southern England. Like the Bechstein’s bat, this mammal’s shortage is primarily due to habitat loss.

While it is sometimes hard to identify a grey long-eared bat, there few key differences from the brown version. However, these features require close examination as they’re difficult to spot with the naked eye. This species is generally larger and greyer in appearance, though its fur is also majorly brown. The bat also has a darker face and muzzle, a whiter belly, shorter thumbs, and a wider tragus (inner ear lobe).  

The grey-eared bat prefers to forage in open spaces like grasslands and gardens. It is more likely to catch insects during flight instead of by gleaning. The species chooses its roosts in the rafters and open roofs of old homes.

While similar in appearance, the grey long-eared bat is slightly bigger than its brown cousin. It has a wingspan between 10 and 11.8 inches and it weighs 0.2 to 0.4 ounces. Its head and body length ranges from 1.6 to 2.3 inches.

5. Barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) – 10.2-11.4 inches 

The barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) is another rare bat species in England, with populations only appearing in the southern regions. The scientific name “barbastelle” translates to “star beard.” This refers to the frosted white fur along the creature’s lip line. Compared to other species in England, the barbastelle has a distinct pug-like nose and flat face. This medium-sized species has silky dark fur, beady eyes, broad ears, and triangular tragus.

The barbastelle prefers deciduous woodland habitats with a water source, like a pond or wet meadow. While it chooses to roost in the crevices of trees or rocks year-round. During the winter, the barbastelle bat moves underground to hibernate, in places such as caves, basements, tunnels, and mines.

Due to the barbastelle’s somewhat weak teeth, almost its entire diet consists of small moths and other lesser Lepidoptera. However, due to the habitat loss, there are also records of the species feeding on modest beetles and spiders.

The barbastelle bat surpasses the grey long-eared bat’s initial wingspan average of 10.2 inches. However, it falls slightly short at its top width of 11.4 inches. The barbastelle species is 1.6 to 2.3 inches long. It is the last species on our list with a maximum weight range of 0.2 to 0.5 ounces.

4. Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri) – 10.2-12.6 inches 

The Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri) goes by many names, including the lesser noctule and the Irish bat. While the third most common species in Ireland, the Leisler’s bat appears less frequently in England. The species has long golden-brown fur around its shoulders and back. Its hair is reminiscent of a lion’s mane, with its brown face and rounded ears furthering this cat-like comparison. The bat’s thick underarm fur contributes to the nickname “the hairy-armed bat,” though this moniker has fallen out of fashion. 

Leisler’s bats are speedy fliers and prefer to hunt their prey high in the sky or just above the treetops. The species likes to move frequently, only staying at a roost for a few days before finding a new one. Leisler’s are a woodland species that prefers dwelling in tree holes. They also make their home in residences—both occupied and not. The bats roost in cozy spots like gables, chimneys, behind shutters, and under tiles and insulation. They sometimes hunt near streetlights at night as well, feeding on the bugs attracted to their glow.

In contrast to the “whispering” bats on this list, Leisler’s bats make their presence well known. They are most active at dusk and noisily emerge from their roosts just before sunset. The bats produce loud, songlike calls during flight as a method of communicating between individuals or colonies. Male Leisler’s bats produce an audible chirpy call to attract mates to their roost.

The Leisler’s bat has a wingspan of 10.2 to 12.6 inches. It is 2 to 2.8 inches long and weighs 0.4 to 0.7 ounces.

3. Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) – 12.6-15 inches

The serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) simply goes by the monikers “big brown bat” or “silky bat.” The word “serotine” derives from Latin. “Serotinus,” translates to “evening.” This perhaps is because serotine bats are one of the first species to emerge at night. They prefer hunting in good light around dusk.

Many English bat species choose the comfort of the deep wilderness—far away from human activity. In contrast, serotine bats prefer more open spaces, such as pastures and meadows. They also commonly roost in buildings year-round, choosing high places such as the hard-to-reach rafters of cathedrals or old chimneys. 

Like Leisler’s bats, serotine bats hunt insects attracted to lamplights in less populated areas, though they prefer feeding near vegetation. Their diet mainly consists of flies, and bigger moths and beetles, such as chafers.

Serotine bats are one of England’s most sizable. Their broad wings give the species highly maneuverable flight, which uses enthusiastic wing flaps interspersed with short glides. The bat has dark brown fur with a pale underside and has long triangular ears with a thin tragus.

Serotine bats have a wingspan between 12.6 and 15 inches. They are between 2.3 and 3.1 inches in length. They have a broad weight range compared to other species, with a mass between 0.5 and 1.2 ounces.

2. Noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) – 12.6-15.8 inches 

There is some debate among experts on which of the final two bats is the largest species in England. Many believe the noctule bat, or common noctule tops the list, which it certainly does when sorting by weight. Even so, the noctule bat is lesser on a worldwide scale. Mature adults fit into the palm of an average human hand.

The noctule bat is typically the first species appearing in the evening, sometimes emerging before sunset. They have chocolate brown fur but molt in the winter, revealing a reddish-brown coat. They also have narrow wings and a mushroom-shaped tragus. 

Noctule bats are relatively common in England and the rest of Great Britain, except for Ireland. They rarely roost in buildings, preferring the holes of trees for their habitat and woodland for feeding. Human ears can detect the noctule bat’s shrill call, which is described as a high-pitched chirping or clicking sound. 

Noctules like making repeated steep dives through the treetops. They eat flying insects like midges, moths, and winged ants while in the air. Noctule bats are adept flyers and can reach speeds of up to about 30 miles an hour.

The wings of common noctule bats spread between 12.6 and 15.8 inches wide. They weigh from 1.9 to 2.3 inches and weigh an average of 0.6 to 1.4 ounces. While heavier, the noctule’s initial wingspan and length keep it from reaching the top spot on our list.

1. Greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) – 13.8-15.8 inches

The greater horseshoe bat gets its name from the unusual skin folds around its nose—sometimes described as a “noseleaf.” Unlike most other British bats, this species uses their nose for echolocation instead of its mouth.

The greater horseshoe bat is a sedentary species, hunting only around dusk and dawn. They nest for the rest of the evening underground in caves, mineshafts, cellars, or the ruins of buildings. They roost by hanging upside down with their wings wrapped around them like a stereotypical image of sleeping bats. The only other bat in England to do this is the lesser horseshoe bat, which is not on this list. 

This bat is the most massive native species in England in terms of wingspan. Its outstretched wings range from 13.8 to 15.8 inches. The greater horseshoe bat’s body is about the size of a teaspoon, with a length between 2.2 and 2.8 inches. The species weighs between 2.2 and 2.8 inches—slightly behind the serotine bat. However, both species are light in comparison to bats present in other parts of the world.

Sadly, Britain’s greater horseshoe bat population is reaching a daily decline. More than 90 percent of the species have disappeared during the last 100 years. The species now only lives in some parts of southwest England and southern Wales. ICUN’s Red List of Threatened Species cites the scarcity of greater horseshoe bats in England to multiple factors. This includes disturbance of their underground roosts, and loss of pasture as hunting grounds. Pesticide use also reduces the availability of many insects in the bat’s diet.

Honorable Mention: Greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) – 36.5-45 centimeters

While officially declared extinct in 1990, very few greater mouse-eared bats hibernate in England. A single greater mouse-eared bat has been regularly hibernating in the south of the country since 2002. Nicknamed “Britain’s loneliest old bat,” it was the sole member of its species until January 2023.

The greater mouse-eared bat technically tops this list as the largest bat species in England. It has the widest wingspan, starting at 14.4 inches and concluding at 17.7 inches. It also is the largest in terms of body size and weight. The species has an average length of 1.6 to 3.1 inches and a mass of 0.8 to 1.4 ounces. However, due to the mouse-eared bat’s modest sample size, the horseshoe is the largest permanent species in England.

Quick Facts: The 10 Largest Bats in England

This table compares the varying sizes of the 10 largest bats found in England.