Lesser Noctule vs Variable Flying Fox

Nyctalus leisleri compared with Pteropus hypomelanus

Key Differences

• Lesser Noctule is Endangered while Variable Flying Fox is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lesser Noctule	Variable Flying Fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Chiroptera (Bats)	Chiroptera (Bats)
Family	Vespertilionidae	Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)
Genus	Nyctalus	Pteropus (Flying Foxes)
Species	Nyctalus leisleri	Pteropus hypomelanus

Evolutionary Relationship

Lesser Noctule and Variable Flying Fox share a common ancestor at the Order level: Chiroptera. (Bats)

Conservation Status

Lesser Noctule

EN — Endangered

Variable Flying Fox

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lesser Noctule	Variable Flying Fox
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lesser Noctule

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Ukraine. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Variable Flying Fox

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.