[2] It is extremely similar to the more common brown long-eared bat, and was only distinguished in the 1960s, but has a paler belly.

While Continental European distributions are not threatened, a 2013 study found this species was close to extinction in the United Kingdom.

[3] It is currently a focus within the Back from the Brink conservation project which aims to increase foraging habitat around known roost sites.

One researcher noted, "long-lived, slow-reproducing species with smaller population sizes are not likely to be able to adapt to future climate change fast enough through the spread of new mutations arising in the population."

In the future, it may be necessary for humans to relocate bats to suitable areas as climate changes.