Mammal
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Size
3.5–5 cm bodyAbout the size of a human thumb
Weight
3–8 gLighter than a 50p coin
Lifespan
Up to 11 years
Top speed
50 km/h
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Females are slightly larger. Females roost together in maternity colonies of up to 1,000 bats; males roost alone or in small groups
Habitat
Woodland edges, hedgerows, water bodies, urban areas
Best time
May–October (hibernates November–April)
Conservation
LC
💡 Did you know?
A single Common Pipistrelle can eat 3,000 midges in just one night! They find their prey using echolocation — sending out ultrasonic calls at 45 kHz, far too high for humans to hear.
Pipistrelles are legally protected in the UK — even disturbing their roost is a criminal offence. Their echolocation is so precise they can detect a wire just 0.3 mm thick in complete darkness.
Often confused with
Soprano Pipistrelle
Nathusius's Pipistrelle
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