Brandt's bats (Myotis brandtii) are very similar to Whiskered bats (Myotis mystacinus) as both are small species with somewhat shaggy fur; the Whiskered bat being slightly smaller than the Brandt's.

 Differences lie in the shape of the inner lobe of the ear (the tragus), penis and features of the teeth (the shape of the 3rd upper pre-molar). Brandt's has a large cusp at the base on the inside of this tooth. The cusp is bigger than the tiny tooth next to it. Whiskered bats have a small cusp  or no cusp.

      Whiskered bat in Hibernation                                                        Brandt's bat in hibernation

Whiskered and Brandt's bats were only separated as distinct species in 1970. Thus much of the information previously applied to Whiskered bats might relate to either species and the difficulties in telling them apart, even in the hand, makes the identification of differences in their behaviour and ecology also difficult.

Whiskered and Brandt's bats are found throughout England and Wales and Whiskered to southern Scotland. It is possible that Brandt's is actually more common and widespread than Whiskered in parts of Great Britain. Whiskered is also found throughout Ireland.

Both are found through most of Europe, occurring as far north as Scandinavia but absent from the south and west of the Iberian peninsula. DNA work in Germany has shown that there is a second, as yet unnamed, species of Whiskered bat there.

 Whiskered and Brandt's bats are vulnerable to the effects of modern agricultural practices and decline of woodland, which result in the loss of suitable feeding habitats and hollow trees for roosting. They are susceptible to pesticides, especially those used as remedial timber treatment chemicals. Disturbance and vandalism of their hibernating sites, caves and tunnels, is an additional threat.

In Great Britain, all bats are fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, and by the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations (1994). An agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (EUROBATS) under the auspices of the Bonn Convention, also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is in force, and all European bats are listed under Appendix II of the CMS .

Information kindly provided by The Bat Conservation Trust