# Noctules (*Nyctalus*) Noctules are special bats that fly at night! They have big ears and can catch insects in the dark. These little creatures help keep our skies clear of pesky bugs. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Greater Noctule ![Noctules](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/430014063/medium.jpeg) Photo: Jakub Šidlík, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/430014063) ## Appearance The Noctule has sleek, reddish-brown fur on its back and paler fur on its belly. It has broad, dark wings and distinct mushroom-shaped ear flaps called tragi, which help it stand out from other bats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Chiroptera - **Family:** Vespertilionidae - **Genus:** Nyctalus ## Interesting facts - Some Noctules migrate hundreds of kilometers between their summer and winter homes! - Some young humans can actually hear the high-pitched calls of Noctule bats! - They are expert aerial hunters, snatching fast-moving beetles and moths right out of the sky! - They often roost in hollow trees, sometimes sharing their homes with birds! ## Special abilities - **Echolocation Master:** Noctules can navigate and hunt in complete darkness by sending out high-pitched sounds and listening for echoes. - **Rapid Flier:** Noctules has long, narrow wings that help them achieve fast, direct flight high above the tree canopy to catch prey. - **Energy Saver:** Noctules can enter torpor, lowering body temperature and heart rate to conserve energy during cold weather or food shortages. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6-8.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 32-40 cm - **Weight:** 0.018-0.04 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-12 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 45-50 days ## Diet & Feeding These speedy bats mainly munch on flying insects they catch in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Moths, Beetles, Midges, Craneflies, Chafers - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — Preys on bats during emergence or return to roosts. - **Eaten by:** [Pine Marten](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pine-marten) (*Martes martes*) — Can access tree cavities to prey on roosting bats. - **Shelter:** [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Mature oak trees provide essential roosting sites in cavities. - **Hunts:** [Common Cockchafer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-cockchafer) (*Melolontha melolontha*) — A large beetle that is a primary food source for Noctules. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a bat, watch quietly from a distance. They are shy and prefer to be left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Noctules? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Noctules? 6-8.5 cm ### What is Noctules's wingspan? 32-40 cm ### How much does Noctules weigh? 0.018-0.04 kg ### How long does Noctules live? 4-12 years ### How fast can Noctules move? 50 km/h ### What does Noctules eat? These speedy bats mainly munch on flying insects they catch in the air. ### Where is Noctules usually found? Forests ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Noctules: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/noctules)