Heavily built, large-limbed bat with very long, slender wings. Snout long and slightly upturned with dis­tinctly ridged upper lip, each vertical lip with a fringe of short hairs. Otherwise snout naked. Ears very large (length 18-3 3 mm) and for­ward and downward point­ing, curling in at the margins. Not fused at base though appear very close and may touch  toward  tips. Tragus square with rounded angles. Antitragus large. Feet strong, as long as half the tibia length. Pelage dense, soft and plush-like, long on neck. Hairs extend onto wings and base of tail membrane. Back dark-gray, darker on sides of neck and behind base of ear, but belly light. Distinctive face and dog-like muzzle. Tail long and up to three-fourths of its length extends beyond the flight membrane.  

27 records. Latest in 2006 (St Katherine).

Narrow (Cairo and Sinai). AOO=42 km². EOO=11653.2 km². 4 locations.

Narrow (Iberia, North Africa east to China).

Head-body length: 12.2 - 13.9 cm; Tail length: 4 - 5.2 cm; Wingspan: up to 45 cm; Weight: 25 - 50 g.

• Terrestrial

This species favours open habitats, such as grasslands and shrublands, from sea level up to 2,300 metres. It roosts in fissures and hollows in rocky outcrops, quarries and sea cliffs. It is fairly common in some urban areas and sometimes roosts in artificial structures such as bridges, water towers, cathedrals and other tall buildings.

A nocturnal species, the European free-tailed bat emerges from its roost at night to feed primarily on flying insects, such as moths. Flying high and fast, it uses low frequency echolocation calls to detect its prey. The heavily-built European free-tailed bat is capable of reaching speeds of over 50 km/h and possesses the stamina to hunt for food for up to ten hours without a resting period. It is not clear whether this species, like many other bats, hibernates during winter.

The European free-tailed bat is typically found roosting in colonies containing between 5 and 50 individuals; although colonies of up to 400 individuals have also been recorded. Female European free-tailed bats typically give birth to a single young each year, in the summer months. It is thought to have a life span of over ten years.

Native, resident.

Vulnerable.

Uncommon.