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The long-tailed serotine bat or long-tailed house bat (Eptesicus hottentotus) is a species of vesper bat found in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 
It is a medium-small bat with its pelage colour varying geographically, with individuals from Namibia and the Northern Cape much paler than those from the east. In the west, it is fawn or sandy-brown above and grey-cream below. In the east, it is dark brown above and paler below. The individual hairs are long and bicoloured with a dark base and pale tip. The wings are dark brown. The ears are brown and moderately sized, with a short tragus with a rounded tip. The sexes are alike, with females slightly larger than males.   

Owing to its large size, it is unlikely to be confused with any of the other pipistrelloid species in southern Africa, which are all significantly smaller. 

Mass: 16 g
Forearm length: 47 mm
Wing loading (weight / wing area): 10.3 N.M-2
Aspect ratio (wing length / breadth):
 
6.3
Peak echolocation frequency: 30.6kHz 

Population trend
Unknown 
Habitat
It is associated with miombo woodland and granitic hills.
Diet
Mainly feeds on Coleoptera (beetles). 
Threats
There appears to be no major threats to this species.
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Roost
Roosts in caves and rocky crevices, where it forms small groups numbering from two to four individuals. 
Distribution
​
It is found across 8 countries; Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  
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Unknown information
No threat and reproduction information is currently available.
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  • Why bats
    • Bats and ecosystems
    • Threats to bats
    • Bats of southern Africa
  • About us
    • Our story
    • Our strategy
    • Our colony
    • Our Partners and Sponsors
    • Jobs / Volunteer
  • Our work
    • Applied research >
      • GBN bat policy questionnaire
    • Capacity strengthening >
      • Early Career Training
      • Bat Group Training
    • Conservation action >
      • Fruit bat monitoring in Malawi
      • Copperbelt Bats Project
    • Engagement and education
    • Events & Training >
      • Webinars
      • Past events
  • Our impact
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Business partnership opportunities
    • Fundraise for Bats
    • Kids Zone >
      • Classroom without Walls