[4] Schlieffen's serotine is an unusually small bat, measuring 4 to 5 centimetres (1.6 to 2.0 in) in head-body length, and weighing only 3.7 to 5 grams (0.13 to 0.18 oz).

[4] In many respects, Schlieffen's serotines resemble the more familiar evening bats of North America; they can most readily be distinguished by the shorter snout, and by the detailed shape of the baculum.

The most recent analysis, as reported in the 2005 edition of Mammal Species of the World, concluded that there is insufficient evidence for the retention of any of these subspecies, and Schlieffen's bat should therefore be considered monotypic.

[5] Schlieffen's serotines forage over fresh water, such as marshes, rivers, and lakes, and are found in a wide range of riparian forest and savannah environments.

[4] The echolocation calls of Schlieffen's serotines have been reported to be narrow band with steep frequency modulation, and to range from 39 to 47 kHz.