Nyctalus noctula

The noctule common (Nyctalus noctula) is one of Chauve-souris of big size to the broad and round ears at the ends. The wings are long and narrow giving him a fast flight (50 km/h) to 10-40 m in height. At the end of the summer, the continental populations migrate towards the south and the south-west of Europe (West Germany, Switzerland, France). The maximum distance observed from migration is of 900 km.

It is a sociable species which forms large colonies. Its activity is twilight and night but can be diurnal in autumn. It hibernates in hollow shafts, cliff cracks or walls but very seldom in caves.

  • Distribution: all Europe except Ireland, Scotland, and the north of Scandinavia

  • Size: 11 to 14 cm

  • Envergure: 32 to 40 cm

  • Weight: 15 to 42 G

  • Habitat: forests, parks

  • Food: moths, cockchafers and other large flying insects

  • Longevity: 12 years

Close species

  • Noctule de Leisler
  • Large noctule

Sources

  • Marc Duquet, Herve Maurin, Patrick Haffner: Inventory of the fauna of France Nathan, 2005,

References

Zh-yue: 褐山蝠

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