Description

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Context:

A new study has uncovered the migration strategy of a mammal species called common noctule bat, which travels thousands of kilometres every spring across Europe.

About Nyctalus noctule

The night bat (Nyctalus noctula) is one of the largest bat species in Europe.
Its fur is reddish brown to golden brown, darker on its back and lighter underneath, while its wings are long and narrow, designed for fast and sustained flight.

Features

Aspect	Details
Flight	Swift and high-altitude flight, reaching heights up to 3,000 meters.
Diet	Insectivorous; feeds on moths, beetles, and other flying insects.
Echolocation	Uses echolocation to detect and hunt prey with precision, even in complete darkness.
Conservation Status	Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but faces threats such as habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization.

Habitat

Aspect	Details
Geographic Distribution	Found across Europe, North Africa, Asia, Siberia, and parts of China.
Migration	Migratory, especially in central and eastern Europe, traveling long distances between breeding and hibernation sites.
Roosting Locations	Inhabits forests, woodlands (hollow trees), urban areas (buildings, attics, bat boxes), wetlands, and grasslands.
Hunting Areas	Thrives in wetlands and grasslands, hunting over water bodies and open fields where insect populations are abundant.

Source:

SCIENTIFIX

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Common Noctule Bat:

It is one of the largest bat species in South East Asia.
They are primarily insectivorous, feeding on moths, beetles and other flying insects.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The common noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) is one of the largest bat species in Europe.

Statement 2 is correct: Common noctules are known for their swift and high-altitude flight, reaching heights of up to 3,000 meters. They are primarily insectivorous feeding on moths, beetles and other flying insects.