Natterer's bat  (Myotis nattereri)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

Prey items include moths, flies and spiders. The species has great manoeuvrability at low speeds and tends to fly at heights below 5 meters (2). It seems to use a combination of hunting styles, including gleaning by landing and taking prey in flight from or close to surfaces (8). Mating tends to occur in late summer and autumn, when large swarms form at underground sites. Mixed-sex maternity colonies form between May and September (9); up to 25% of the bats in a nursery roost may be male (9). Towards the end of June a single young is produced which is fed on milk for around six weeks after birth, and left in a 'creche' as the mother goes out to hunt. Young bats may fly three weeks after birth and will be weaned and independent after six (2).

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