Mammals
Northern Bat
Eptesicus nilssonii · also called Nilsson's bat
Under the midnight sun above Lapland, a northern bat flutters along a line of birches, hunting moths in bright light, farther north than any other bat in Europe.
Overview
The northern bat, Eptesicus nilssonii, is a Least Concern bat found across northern Europe and Asia, reaching beyond the Arctic Circle. Its cold-hardiness, willingness to hunt in daylight, and use of buildings make it one of the best-adapted bats to life at high latitudes.
A bat at the edge of the Arctic
Few bats can cope with the short nights and long winters of the far north, but the northern bat has made them its home.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and common across northern Europe and Asia.
Northern Bat: common questions
How far north does the northern bat live?
It lives beyond the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, farther north than any other bat in Europe.
Why does the northern bat hunt in daylight?
In the northern summer the nights are very short, so it often hunts in bright light.
Where does the northern bat roost?
It often roosts in buildings, tucked behind boards, in roof spaces, and in cracks.
Where is the northern bat found?
It lives across northern Europe and Asia as far east as the Pacific.