Fun Noctule Facts For Kids

The noctule (Nyctalus noctula) is a species of bat whose distribution ranges across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Noctule bats mostly hibernate in winter and congregate with up to 1000 individuals in hibernation colonies.

They have dark brown body coloration. Lately, during summer, females return from migration to the cold wintering areas, and the young ones follow the females later.

Early in winter, in November, noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula) commence hibernation with both males and females in the same roost. In many cases, summer territories and hibernating places are far away.

Sometimes, tree holes or woodpecker holes are not big enough for their hibernation. Therefore, common noctules use church steeples or blocks of flats to hibernate in.

As they are known as insectivorous animals, common noctule bats mainly feed on beetles, moths and winged ants. The color range in common noctules varies from golden brown to dark brown on the upper side to pale brown below. A noctule bat gives birth to an average of one or two young per year.

Feeding is done particularly in the early evening, preying on insects, moths, and midges, catching their prey in the summer. They roost during the summer in the trees at or before sunset.

To know more about other bats species, you can also check out these long-tailed bat facts and spotted bat facts.

Noctule Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a noctule?

Noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula ) are a species of bat with a wide range of population mainly in Europe and Asia. These bats' nature is aggressive and they are erratic fliers and leave their roosts at sunset or sometimes before sunset.

They are fond of fruits and insects and feed mainly on beetles and they generally roost in caves or buildings. Noctule bats are golden brown bats native to Eurasia and North Africa with slender wings and a short muzzle.

What class of animal does a noctule belong to?

Noctule bats belong to the Mammalia class and phylum Chordata.

How many noctules are there in the world?

There are around 45,000 noctule bats in England, 4,750 noctule bats in Wales and 250 noctule bats in Scotland, so the total population of these bats has been estimated to be around 50,000, distributed in different regions of the world.

Where does a noctule live?

Noctule bats are highly distributed in England, their habitat is generally found in the woodland and they are more comfortable in areas with trees, rot holes, and woodpecker holes thriving in southwest Scotland and England and Wales.

The noctule bat is often mistaken for a swift in flight as both the species fly so high. They are native and uncommon species and are a protected European species.

In some places, bat boxes are constructed on trees to attract noctule bats so that they can roost where there are limited roosting areas.

What is a noctule's habitat?

Noctule habitat usually prefers rot as well as woodpecker holes and mostly inhabits in woodland, average population resides in southwest Scotland. Noctules hibernate during winter in tree sites and rarely in bat boxes, buildings, and rock fissures.

Noctules prefer open habitats as they fly high in the air, rivers, and lakes and more often in marshlands and lowlands. Noctules are spread throughout England and Wales. They get their name from the Latin word 'noctua' meaning night owl.

Who do noctules live with?

Males particularly live in groups, while some are solitary. During the breeding season, they come together in pairs or in groups.

How long does a noctule live?

Noctules have an average lifespan of 12 years in the wild. They roost in trees, buildings, and rot holes, and hibernate in winter on trees or bat boxes.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season of noctules occurs during September and the spring season.

Females mate in captivity at the age of three months which is an early age, whereas the males mate when they are 15 months old, that is, their second autumn. It has been recorded that the young are born from June to July and around two to four babies are born at a time.

Males are fond of establishing mating roosts in a tree hole which helps them defend other males and attract females through a menu of shrill calls and mate with four to five females and then they give birth to young bats who are weaned for six weeks.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of noctules is of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. Still, it is known that their numbers are declining throughout Europe because of habitat loss and they are not able to roosts in trees and buildings.

Noctule Fun Facts

What do noctules look like?

Noctule appearance consists of golden-brown fur to dark brown fur on the upper part and a pale brown shade on the below parts.

They are the fastest flying bats in Britain, whose lifespan is around 12 years, the length of their wingspan is 15–16 in (38.1-40.6 cm) and the total body length of an adult is between 1.5-1.9 in (4-5 cm).

They can weigh up to 0.88–1.1 oz (25-30 g) and they are a bit aggressive in nature and more like an erratic flier.

They mainly prefer woodland habitats and can be found roosting on trees.

These bats search for food during their flight.

Noctule bat is the largest bat species of Scotland with a large wingspan measuring 11.8 in (30 cm) and with its large narrow wings, it can fly up to 31.06 mph (50 kph). They tend to roost on trees or in woodpecker holes, splits or cavities, and among forests in general, during the summer season.

It is one of the bats of this species that appears in the evening and feeds on insects and returns to the same roost year after year.

How cute are they?

Little ones born between May to June have a cute appearance and they are also one of the cutest mammals found in Britain.

How do they communicate?

Their means of communication include various calls and gestures.

How big is a noctule?

The total body length of noctules is 1.5-1.9 in (4-5 cm), which is seven times smaller than a golden hooded tanager.

How fast can a noctule fly?

The noctule can fly at a speed of 31.06 mph (50 kph).

How much does a noctule weigh?

Noctules weigh around 0.9–1.1 oz (25.5-31.1 g), which is 15 times heavier and bigger than a golden-crowned kinglet.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names used to describe the male and female species of bats. Therefore, they are called noctule males and noctule females.

What would you call a baby noctule?

Baby noctule bats are known as baby bats.

What do they eat?

The feeding habits or diet of these bats consists of insects, moths, flies, midges, and winged ants. Their diet mainly consists of beetles. They roost in winter and in the summer catch their prey while flying.

Are they dangerous?

These bats found mainly in Britain and Europe might become dangerous if provoked.

Would they make a good pet?

These species of bats can be kept as pets, but it is very rare for people to raise them as pets. Their strong odor, diet, and nocturnal behavior make it difficult to pet them.

Did you know...

There are various types of noctule bats, like mountain noctules, Japanese noctules, and azure noctules. The young ones are born from May to June and the flight is very high compared to a swift and roost on trees.

What does a noctule sound like?

Noctules sound like a fairly irregular 'chip-chop.'

Is the noctule endangered?

These species of bats are not endangered. Their status is Least Concern and they have a wide population in England, Wales, and Europe.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our Bismarck flying fox facts and ghost bat facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable noctule coloring pages.