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Common Noctule

Nyctalus noctula

The Common Noctule is a big bat that flies at night. It loves to catch insects in the air and can be found in many places, including forests and cities!

Habitat: Forests, Urban areas

Appearance

The Common Noctule has glossy, reddish-brown fur on its back and paler, yellowish-brown fur underneath. It is a relatively large bat for Europe, with long, narrow wings and a distinctive mushroom-shaped tragus in its ear.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderChiropteraFamilyVespertilionidaeGenusNyctalus
Common Noctule
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Common Noctule

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Noctule colonies can grow to include over a thousand individual bats!

Some Common Noctules migrate hundreds of kilometers to warmer places for winter!

They prefer roosting in tree hollows that were made by woodpeckers!

You might hear their loud echolocation calls even without special equipment!

Special abilities

Ability

Echolocation Expert

Common Noctule can navigate and hunt in total darkness using high-frequency sounds to map out its environment.

Ability

High-Speed Hunter

Common Noctule has long, narrow wings enabling fast, direct flight to pursue and catch flying insects mid-air.

Measurements & details

Length
6-8 cm
Wingspan
32-40 cm
Weight
0.018-0.04 kg
Lifespan
4-12 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Litter Size
1-2
Gestation
70-75 days

Diet & Feeding

These speedy fliers hunt down and eat many different types of flying insects high in the night sky.

Primary Foods

  • Moths
  • Beetles
  • Caddisflies
  • Midges
  • Mosquitoes

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Large Yellow Underwing Moth

Noctua pronuba

A favorite flying insect meal.

eaten by

Cockchafer

Melolontha melolontha

Caught mid-air during evening flights.

hunts

Tawny Owl

Strix aluco

Predator near roosts at dawn/dusk.

depends on

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos major

Creates hollows used by roosting bats.

Traits

Also known as

Noctule Bat

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Bats are usually not dangerous, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Common Noctule?

6-8 cm

What is Common Noctule's wingspan?

32-40 cm

How much does Common Noctule weigh?

0.018-0.04 kg

How long does Common Noctule live?

4-12 years

How fast can Common Noctule move?

50 km/h

What does Common Noctule eat?

These speedy fliers hunt down and eat many different types of flying insects high in the night sky.

Where is Common Noctule usually found?

Forests, Urban areas

How does Common Noctule hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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