The taxonomic classification of Otonycteris is unclear, however their chromosomes suggest that this genus is closely related to the Barbastella and Plecotus genera.

[3] They have nearly horizontally directed ears, which use a band of skin to connect across the forehead and are about 40 mm in length.

The desert long-eared bat has a pale sandy and dark brown upper part, with a whitish bottom.

[6] This bat likely forages close to the ground, using echolocation to detect large flying or surface-dwelling invertebrates.

[12] Its range is now recognized to include Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.