Mammals · Chiroptera · Vespertilionidae

Common Noctule

Nyctalus noctula

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is the largest and highest-flying bat in the United Kingdom, able to reach 50 to 60 km/h chasing insects above the canopy. Males aggressively defend a mating territory in a tree hollow.

Weight

18 g – 40 g

Size

5 cm – 10 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Temperate forestInsectivore Nocturnal Colonial Temperate forest Mammal

47countries 129parks14same family

Fun facts

It is the largest and highest-flying bat in the United Kingdom.
It can reach 50 to 60 km/h in flight.
It roosts in old tree holes, often former woodpecker holes.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Mature woodland across much of Europe and Asia as far as Japan, roosting in old tree holes, often former woodpecker holes
Birth weight: 5.37 grams
Size at birth: The young naked at birth, staying with its mother until independent
Sexual maturity: Female: 1 year | Male: 15 months
Gestation / incubation: 50-70 days
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 3 young per litter (most commonly 1-2)

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); The Wildlife Trusts; Animal Diversity Web; People's Trust for Endangered Species; Heart of England Forest; NatureStyle; Encyclopedia of Life; Wikipedia (Common noctule)