Bats

Bats are probably the most intriguing group of mammals. They are the only mammals capable of true flight. Their nocturnal life has for centuries raise many questions, but nowdays our knowledge on bats is vast. 

There are 30 species of bats living in Slovenia, which represents a third of all Slovenian mammals. Nature park Goričko is home to 16 species of bats. Since 1999 twelve species of bats have been found only in the castle Grad. Five bat species are being actively protected as Natura 2000 species - greater mouse-eared bat, common bent-wing bat, lesser horsehoe bat, western barbastelle bat and Bechstein´s bat. In Goričko Nature park, lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis oxygnathus), Natterer´s bat (Myotis nattereri), Geoffroy´s bat (Myotis emarginatus), Daubenton´s bat (Myotis daubentonii), noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), common pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), soprano pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), Kuhl´s pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii), serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) and grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) also live. All bat species in Slovenia are protected. 

 

Greater mouse-eared bat

One of the largest bats in Slovenia. 

Lesser horseshoe bat

One of the smallest bats has two known maternity groups in Goričko Nature park.