Automatically translated from Basque, translation may contain errors. More information here. Elhuyarren itzultzaile automatikoaren logoa

Ratoncito Vasco Pérez

  • Bats form the Chiroptera group. Hand “cheir”, wing “pteron”, in the ancient Greek. So, wings in your hands. Being the only mammal that can fly, conquering the air and achieving great success, nearly 1,500 species of bats are described worldwide.
Argazkia: Dave Thomas.
Small pipigeon (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)

GROUP: Vertebrate/Mammal.

MEASURE: 3.5-5 cm.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? In all kinds of habitats, even in urban areas.

WHAT DOES IT EAT? Mosquitoes and moths.

LEVEL OF PROTECTION: Sponsored at European level. Many other bat species are listed as “endangered” or “vulnerable” in various catalogues in the Basque Country.

One of the most viewed and well-known bats among us is the little pigeon. It is really small (3.5-5 cm) and lives throughout the Basque Country. It's a conservation enthusiast in cracks and holes and it's found in all kinds of habitats, even in the more urban areas. The sympathetic bat we see in the vicinity of the village lantern is a pigeon. Follow the insects attracted by light, performing great acrobatics to capture them.

It uses state-of-the-art technology: ecolocation. The ultrasound emits with the end and echoes with the ears. This system is used to situate itself and know the shapes and distances surrounding it, with an accuracy of milliseconds and millimeters. “Look” at what is in front of you, the tree, the house, or the bug that you want so much! Where do you think the sensor system comes from to park modern cars?

The small bowls often come together as a group, seeking refuge in the rime. These shelters are often found in the cabins of houses and dwellings, which has their drawbacks for the bat. Often bat colonies are killed or sent away because of the discomfort they can cause. In addition, they lose many shelters by demolishing old buildings, renovations and because in the design of new buildings there are no holes, gaps, cracks, etc. The new buildings and infrastructures need to include some species of birds and bats. The architecture of the future (and of the present) must be compatible with the conservation of some species of unique fauna. We still have a great deal to improve in this area.

This tireless insectivore has lived better times. In addition to threats to urban areas, the intensive use of pesticides in new agricultural models, the transformation of habitats, climate change and invasive species have led to a serious decline in all kinds of bugs that directly affect bats. And nature needs everything, small bugs and small hunters. And so do we. It's time to change our perception of bats and to admire these incredible mammals. Become aware of all the benefits they bring to us and show the respect they deserve. Support the research needed for better knowledge and protective measures.

It looks like it now looks less -- in another time a lot more. It was so well known that in many houses the tooth was thrown into the bat out of the window: “Bat! Take the old yew!” and then: “And the new, the bat apple tree!”

Observing the irregular flights of bats the moment light begins to decrease is a good thing. But will the new generations be able to pull the tooth out of the bat?


You are interested in the channel: A ze fauna!
2025-05-19 | Nagore Zaldua
Worms in the sands under the waves
In childhood, we often had “chills” in our hands in a plot, in a park or in rural areas... However, in these times when recreational areas are becoming more artificial, it is difficult to find them in urban or communal areas. But those who know the marine fauna know that... [+]

2025-05-12 | Irati Diez Virto
The beast of legends in the Cantabrian Sea
The whale or whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the world’s largest toothed cetacean and also the world’s largest toothed animal. The teeth are only visible in the lower jaw, but each can weigh up to 1 kg. In fact, it is not very clear what they are used for (perhaps to... [+]

Cat in the sea shark
Our beaches are full of sharks. Swimmers stay calm, because I’m talking about the wide beaches that we have at a depth of 100-200 meters on the coast. It is home to the largest and smallest shark in the Atlantic.

The white mari that melts the snow
Many of us know Anbotoko Mari, who is also known by many names such as Lady of Aralar, Lady of the Embalse and many others. The body of Amalur is taken from Mari, our goddess, known among the Basques. She is presented in many villages as a lady dressed in ornate clothes. But who... [+]

red traffic light, deceitful of enemies
The scientific name of the insect that we present today explains, among other things, that it is red (not completely) and has no wings. They are not both wrong, but red is not their only coloration, and it has also had wings, but their size is very variable between some grains... [+]

2025-04-07 | Iñaki Sanz-Azkue
The Snake Fisherman by the River
Many will hear the serpent and think of a dry place, because the man is well aware that reptiles need heat. However, not all snakes are the same; not everyone likes the same conditions, which allows, among other things, the diversity that exists. Each one usually has its own... [+]

2025-03-31 | Nagore Zaldua
Udaberrian sakura loreak eta itsas-tomateak

Itsasoan badira landareen itxura izan arren animalia harrapari diren izaki eder batzuk: anemonak. Kantauri itsasoan hainbat anemona espezie ditugun arren, bada bat, guztien artean bereziki erraz atzemateko aukera eskaintzen diguna: itsas-tomatea.


2025-03-24 | Irati Diez Virto
Lamia oinak bueltan dira

Ugaztunei eskainitako azken artikuluaren amaierako hitzak hurrengo animalia aurkezteko aitzakia paregabea dira. Bertan esaten genuen muturluzeak erreka “garbi eta txukunak” behar dituela, kutsadurarik gabeak baina elementu natural anitzekin. Animalia txiki horren... [+]


Kutixi edo mokadu, guztion ahotarako

Antxoa, bokarta edo albokartia, gure arrain komertzialen artean txikiena, euskal kostaldera hurbildu da.


Zata arrunta
Ahuntzak gustuko omen dituen gautxoria

Katalanen ustetan artzainak engainatzen omen ditu hegazti honek: “enganyapastors”. Espainiar eta latindarrek, aldiz, ahuntzari esnea kentzen diola diote, hortik datorkio hain zuzen ere izen zientifikoan (Caprimulgus europaeus) islatzen den caprimulgus (capra... [+]


Engainuaren eredu

Leihatila honetan behin baino gehiagotan azaldu ditugu Ama Naturaren engainuak bere izakiak babestearren. Batzuetan, erle edo liztor itxura zuten euliak ekarri ditugu, beste batzuetan inongo arriskurik ez duten arrisku-kolorazioko intsektuak ere bai (kolorazio aposematikoa... [+]


2025-02-24 | Iñaki Sanz-Azkue
Apo pikart europarra
Gaueko kantari bakartia

Nekazal eremu lehor baten erdian ageri da putzua. Txikia da tamainaz, eta ez oso sakona. Egunak dira euririk egiten ez duela, baina oasi txiki honek oraindik ere aurretik bildutako urari eusten dio. Gauak eremua irentsi du eta isiltasunaren erdian kantu bakarti bat entzun da... [+]


2025-02-17 | Nagore Zaldua
Amorrotxa, a blue-blooded dreamer?
Skillful, witty and elusive; the common octopus, although the name does not indicate it, has extraordinary abilities. This carnivorous marine cephalopod mollusk impresses us with its strange qualities and powers. It is the smartest of all invertebrates, among other things.

2025-02-10 | Irati Diez Virto
Since the ice age, endemism has been compromised.
During the last glaciation the territory of the Basque Country was trampled by mammoths, bears of caves, bison and even hyenas. These animals, exposed to persistent and cold snow, disappeared along with the glacial conditions. But just as small mammals survived the extinction of... [+]

The Brown Vulture
The Nature Cleaner
This bird, so popular in our country, is a stubborn rotten bird that has not brought it a good reputation. Some call it an eagle, a buitre, a futre, a hatxarrano or a mirusai; the official name is the brown sai (Gyps fulvus).

Eguneraketa berriak daude