Which of these is the largest and least studied bat in Europe?

why is it the least studied?

Alfredo, it eats flesh. Same reason I don't study lions either.

Alfredo, 1. Rarity and Limited Distribution: It has a sparse and fragmented population across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean. Its distribution overlaps with many remote or difficult-to-access regions. This bat is not as commonly encountered as other bat species. 2. Habitat and Roosting Behavior: The greater noctule bat roosts high in old trees in forests, which can be hard to access for researchers. It avoids man-made structures, unlike some other bat species. Its nocturnal and highly mobile nature also makes it difficult to track and study. 3. Specialized Diet: It is one of the few bats known to feed on birds during migration. Studying this unique behavior requires specialized research methods, such as tracking bird migration patterns and observing nocturnal predation. 4. Conservation Challenges: The bat's reliance on old-growth forests, which are declining, makes its habitat scarce. This complicates locating and monitoring populations. Logging and habitat destruction have further fragmented its range. 5. Technological and Methodological Limitations: Advanced tracking and monitoring tools, like GPS tagging and bioacoustic methods, have only recently become more widespread. Prior to this, researchers struggled to gather detailed data on the species. Its echolocation calls can be difficult to differentiate from similar species, requiring advanced equipment and analysis.

real cool info!