Head to head
Natterer's Bat vs Daubenton's Bat
Natterer's Bat
VS Daubenton's Bat
Natterer's bat and Daubenton's bat are close relatives in the genus Myotis, both medium-sized European bats, but they hunt in very different places.
| Natterer's Bat | Daubenton's Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Myotis nattereri | Myotis daubentonii |
| Relationship | A close relative of Daubenton's bat, in the same genus | A close relative of Natterer's bat, in the same genus |
| Hunting | Gleans spiders and insects from leaves, walls, and other surfaces, hovering as it does so | Flies low and level just above water, scooping insects from the surface with its large feet and tail membrane |
| Diet | Flies, spiders, and beetles | Midges, mayflies, and other insects just above the water surface |
| Distinctive feature | A row of stiff hairs along the edge of its tail membrane, and pale grey-white underparts | Large feet used to scoop insects from the water |
| Habitat and range | Woodland, parkland, and farmland across Europe, parts of North Africa, and western Asia | Rivers, lakes, and waterside woodland across Europe and northern Asia as far east as Japan |
| Roost | Old trees, barns, bridges, and old stone buildings, hibernating in caves | Tree holes, bridges, caves, and tunnels, often near water |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Natterer's Bat vs Daubenton's Bat: common questions
Which bat hunts over water?
Daubenton's bat, the water bat, which flies low and level just above lakes and rivers.
What is special about Natterer's bat?
It has a row of stiff hairs along the edge of its tail membrane and gleans spiders and insects from leaves and walls.
Are Natterer's bat and Daubenton's bat related?
Yes, both belong to the genus Myotis, though Natterer's bat gleans prey from surfaces and Daubenton's bat skims over water.