Eurasian Least Shrew vs Noctule

Sorex minutissimus compared with Nyctalus noctula

Key Differences

• Eurasian Least Shrew is Least Concern while Noctule is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Eurasian Least Shrew	Noctule
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)	Chiroptera (Bats)
Family	Soricidae	Vespertilionidae
Genus	Sorex	Nyctalus
Species	Sorex minutissimus	Nyctalus noctula

Evolutionary Relationship

Eurasian Least Shrew and Noctule share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Eurasian Least Shrew

LC — Least Concern

Noctule

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Eurasian Least Shrew	Noctule
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Eurasian Least Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

Noctule

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Noctule

Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden