Northern Serotine

The northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii) is the most abundant species of bat in northern Eurasia occurring from France to Hokkaidō and south to Kazakhstan. == Description == The northern bat is dark brown or black with some gold touched at the tip of the hairs in the head and back region. Its nose, ears, tail and wings are black or blackish brown. The coat on the ventral side is yellowish brown. It has short and rounded ears. It body length is 54–64 mm (2.1–2.5 in) with a wing span of 240–280 mm (9.4–11.0 in), and it weighs 8–16 g (0.28–0.56 oz) depending on the season. == Distribution and habitat == The northern bat is widespread throughout Eurasia, and is the most common bat in the northern part of the continent. It occurs from northern Scandinavia beyond the Arctic Circle to northern Italy, and eastern England to northern Japan. It favours forest uplands at elevations of 200–2,000 m (660–6,560 ft). == Behaviour and ecology == Northern bat colonies have moved as far as 450 km (280 mi) over a period of several years. It breeds in late autumn, and the females stores the male sperm over the winter. Hibernation begins in…