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Bats are particularly suited as bioindicators of trace element pollution due to their longevity and their position in the trophic chain. In this study, the concentrations of ten non-essential trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb, Sr, Th, Tl) were determined in the tissues (whole body, skin-fur, skinned body, liver, kidney and bone) of lactant Tadarida teniotis from a nursery colony in Rome. A large number of bats from this nursery died before fledging and had bone deformities and fractures. The concentrations of non-essential trace elements in bone and whole body were also analysed in adult specimens of Miniopterus schreibersii from a colony located in a natural park in Northern Italy. In lactant T. teniotis , the Pb concentration decreased in the following order: bone>liver>skinned body>whole body>skin-fur>kidney, and exceeded the toxic threshold associated with negative effects reported for different mammalian species. The levels of the other non-essential trace elements were within a range indicative of low environmental contamination in both species. Significant interspecies differences (P < 0.05) were observed for concentrations of Pb and Ba, higher in the bones of T. teniotis , and of Cd, Hg and Sr, higher in the bones of M. schreibersii. In lactant T. teniotis , the different sources of Pb exposure, through inhalation and/or food, may represent a potential threat to the colony of this synanthropic European bat. Image 1 • Metal concentrations were determined in tissues of T. teniotis and M. schreibersii. • Lactant T. teniotis presented the highest Pb concentrations in all tissues analysed. • Significant interspecific differences were observed in bone for Pb, Ba, Hg and Sr. • Bats can be considered useful monitors of environmental metal pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]