Rüppell's pipistrelle is a species with an African distribution pattern, with Israel forming its northern limit. In the country it is observed mainly in desert areas in the Negev and the Judean Desert, but it is also observed in central Israel, the Shfela, and the coastal plain: its appearance in these sites, as well as in the northern Negev, is apparently seasonal. The species is marked by a contrasting fur pattern: the back is very dark whereas the belly is white. No other species in the region known to be similar in this respect.

Call frequency: 50-60 (37-90) kh
Recordings and histograms on the page Rüppell's pipistrelle in the sound library

Rüppell's pipistrelle, Pipistrellus rueppellii, the characteristic contrasting fur pattern   © שי פילוסוף

The species is named after Eduard Rüppell, a German naturalist (originally from Frankfurt) who toured and studied various regions, mainly in northeastern Africa. Rüppell was one of the first European naturalists to reach the Gulf of Aqaba (1822) and the first among them to visit Ethiopia. His journey in Ethiopia, between 1830-1834, focused mainly on the fauna and flora of the area, and his writings from this period are still considered highly valuable and are used quite often. Rüppell worked in various fields including astronomy, geography, zoology, and botany.  
Many animal species are named after Rüppell. Among the birds of the region we know the black-throated warbler (Sylvia rueppelli) and among the mammals the sand fox, (Vulpes rueppelli) but also many other animal species from more distant regions, such as the Australian broad-nosed bat  Greater Broad-nosed Bat , a parrot species endemic to southwestern Africa (Rueppell's Parrot) and more.

Rüppell's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus rueppelli), Ashkelon National Park, 27/02/2012 צילום:  Liad Cohen ©