Mammals
Natterer's Bat
Myotis nattereri · also called Natterer bat
Hovering beside an old stone wall at night, Natterer’s bat plucks a spider from the stonework, a pale-bellied woodland bat with a comb of fine hairs along its tail.
Overview
Natterer’s bat, Myotis nattereri, is a Least Concern bat found across Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia. Its fringed tail membrane, surface-gleaning hunting, and use of old trees and buildings make it one of the more distinctive Myotis bats of the Old World.
A bat that picks, not chases
Instead of chasing insects in the open air, Natterer’s bat hovers and plucks prey off leaves and walls with careful precision.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across a large range.
Natterer's Bat: common questions
What is special about Natterer's bat's tail?
It has a row of stiff hairs along the edge of its tail membrane, which may help it handle prey.
How does Natterer's bat find food?
It gleans spiders and insects from leaves, walls, and other surfaces, hovering as it does so.
Where does Natterer's bat roost?
It roosts in old trees, barns, bridges, and old stone buildings, and hibernates in caves.
Where is Natterer's bat found?
It lives in woodland, parkland, and farmland across Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia.