Botta's serotine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Botta's serotine |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eptesicus
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| Species: |
bottae
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The Botta's serotine (Eptesicus bottae) is a type of bat. It belongs to a group of bats called vesper bats. There are 25 different kinds of bats in the Eptesicus group. You can find this bat living in rocky areas and warm, dry places like deserts.
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How This Bat Got Its Name
This bat was first described as a new species in 1869. A German scientist named Wilhelm Peters gave it its first scientific name. He called it Vesperus bottae. The very first bat of this kind was collected in 1837. It was found in southwestern Yemen by Paul-Émile Botta. The bat's name, "bottae", is a tribute to him.
Later, in 1878, another scientist thought it was the same as the serotine bat. But by 1967, it was known by its current name, Eptesicus bottae. For many years, two other bat species were thought to be the same as Botta's serotine. These were Eptesicus anatolicus and Ognev's serotine (E. ognevi). However, genetic tests in 2006 and 2013 showed that they are all different species.
What Botta's Serotine Looks Like
These bats are quite small. They usually weigh about 8–9 g (0.28–0.32 oz). That's about as much as a few paper clips! Their wings can spread out to about 28.2 cm (11.1 in) wide. This is roughly the length of a standard ruler. Their forearm, which is part of their wing, is about 38–47 mm (1.5–1.9 in) long. When they fly, they move at an average speed of 5.7 m/s (13 mph).
Where Botta's Serotine Lives
You can find Botta's serotine in several countries. These countries are mostly around the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. They live in places like Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Oman, State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. They might also live in Lebanon. These bats can be found at different heights, from sea level up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft) high in the mountains.
Protecting Botta's Serotine
As of 2021, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says that Botta's serotine is a least-concern species. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. In Egypt, there are many of these bats. However, they are less common in other parts of their home range.
