SOUNDS: Most sounds produced by Daubenton's bats are above the level of human hearing, although occasionally bats may be heard chirping from the roost, particularly just before emergence. With a bat detector (heterodyne), a rapid series of clicks can be heard. Pulse repetition rate is very fast and very regular compared with the irregular sound of the pipistrelle. This species has the most regular pulse repetition rate of the Myotis bats. They produce rapid frequency modulated sweeps with a very regular rhythm, like a cat purring loudly, which are loudest at about 45kHz. Calls can be distinguished from pipistrelle bats by tuning down to 35kHz, below the frequencies of pipistrelle calls, at which point dry 'clicks' can be heard.

Click to hear the echolocation calls of Daubenton's bats slowed down 10 times

© Jon Russ 2001. Text refereed by Angela Ross & Lynne Rendle.

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