The least pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis) is a species of vesper bat.

Distribution

The bat is native to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Maritime Southeast Asia, Malesia, and southwestern Oceania. It has been recorded from sea level to 769 m in elevation. Countries and islands it can be found in include: Laos, southeastern China and Hainan island, the Philippines, Borneo, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Description

The head and body length of the least pipistrelle is 6 –, the forearm measures 3 cm and the wingspan is 18 –. The bat weighs 6 - 8 g. Females are larger than males. They are dark brown to black above, and lighter below. The wing membrane, face, and ears are black. with no pale margins like those of Indian pipistrelle. The muzzle is short and broad and the nostrils are small, rounded, and placed between facial swellings. The small ears have prominent tragi and antitragi. The fur is dense, short, silky, and covers the entire body.

Subspecies

Subspecies include: