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The brown long-eared bat is a common species in Estonia and can be seen in forests as well as in settlements. It is very easy to recognize by its long ears that are nearly as long as its body.

The long-eared bat catches its prey both in the air and from the leaves of trees. It can for instance find and catch a moth sitting on a leaf. To do this it flits slowly around the tree; in addition to location by sound echo it also uses its excellent hearing (it is for this that it has its big ears) and sight for finding insects.

The long-eared bat winters both in large caves and in small cellars. A hibernating animal is quite easy to recognize, although not by its ears since it usually packs them under the wings so that only the ear traguses are visible. A long-eared bat hanging in its wintering place is romboid-shaped, with a  brown back and shaggy fur.

Brown long-eared bat.