Miniopterus

a genus of mammals of the family Vespertilionidae (common bats). The body measures 40-63 mm long; the tail, 40-67 mm; and the wingspan, 37-55 mm. The animal weighs 8-20 g. The coloration ranges from gray to reddish brown. The wings are narrow and long. There are ten species in the tropical and subtropical belts of the eastern hemisphere. Members of the genus inhabit caves, tree hollows, and buildings. They live in colonies ranging from 20 to tens of thousands. In hunting, they fly easily and quickly at a height of 10-20 m. They feed on night insects. The animals reproduce once annually and have a single offspring. In the Soviet Union only one species is found, Miniopterus schreibersi, which is found in the southern European part and in Turkmenia. The animals winter deep in caves; before hibernation, they undergo extensive migrations.