Myotis dasycneme

Status. 4 category. Rare, insufficiently researched species. Habitat. Spread out near larger settlements, cities. Biotope. Forests, parks or settlements near cities. Hibernates in roomy undergrounds, in cellars. Biology. During breeding the females are usually found in attic buildings with metal roofs. They create loudly screeching colonies (up to 200 individuals), often mixed. The males meanwhile live separately in small groups. Most of the females breed 1, very rarely – 2 offspring in the middle of June. Sedentary. In autumn and spring, while roaming, they hide in tree hollows, birdhouses and wooden house crevices and hollow spaces. Not too shy when confronted by people or other larger animals. Start hibernating in the end of November, and in the start of May can be found in summer hideouts. Their food – small and soft mammals, which they catch while flying at night. Abundance. 3 hideouts are known in the territory, where small groups of 5-10 males spend days in the summer. In city undergrounds, suitable for hibernation, this species is rare. Probable reason for small abundance – lack of suitable hideouts for breeding and hibernation, sparsity of food, and the destruction on the animals for their pelts. Protection. Preservation of already existing and potential breeding and hibernation hideouts, establishing them as reserves. Multiplication of hideouts: making large hatches for the animals to fly into, in attics and other building spaces, installation of huts on the South sides of buildings for the species to spend the days in, installation of artificial nests, installation of hibernation places. Level of dangerousness: 3. Under observation.