Head to head
Noctule vs Big Brown Bat
Noctule
VS Big Brown Bat
The noctule and big brown bat are the larger, hardier members of the bat faunas of Europe and North America, both catching big insects on the wing and hibernating through the winter.
| Noctule | Big Brown Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Nyctalus noctula | Eptesicus fuscus |
| Continent | Europe and Asia | North America, from southern Canada through much of the United States and into Mexico |
| Size | One of the larger bats of Europe, with long, narrow wings | One of the larger and hardier North American bats |
| Diet | Large flying insects such as beetles and moths high above the ground | Beetles, moths, and other flying insects, with a fondness for hard-shelled beetles |
| Roost | Mainly tree holes, but also bat boxes and buildings | Attics, barns, bridges, caves, hollow trees, and rock crevices |
| Winter | Hibernates in tree holes, buildings, or rock crevices | Hibernates in caves, mines, or occasionally buildings, in cold, stable locations |
| Disease resilience | Not specifically documented | More resistant to white-nose syndrome than several smaller bat relatives |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, dependent on mature trees with holes | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Noctule vs Big Brown Bat: common questions
Which bat roosts in tree holes?
The noctule roosts mainly in tree holes, while the big brown bat readily roosts in attics, barns, and bridges as well as natural sites.
Which bat resists white-nose syndrome?
The big brown bat has shown considerably more resistance to white-nose syndrome than several smaller bat relatives.
Where do the noctule and big brown bat live?
The noctule lives across Europe and Asia, while the big brown bat lives across North America from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico.