TL;DR
Researchers filmed brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) intercepting and killing bats in a large German hibernaculum, the first documented case of rodents catching flying mammals. The study documents multiple confirmed kills and a hidden cache of carcasses, and recommends managing rat presence near major roosts as a precaution.
What happened
A research team led by Florian Gloza-Rausch recorded brown rats ambushing bats at Segeberg Kalkberg, a limestone cave in northern Germany that houses roughly 30,000 hibernating bats each winter. Using infrared video during five weeks in autumn 2020 and thermal cameras from 2021–2024, the group captured footage of rats standing on hind legs at the cave entrance, detecting wing movement and springing up to seize bats mid-flight. During five weeks of direct monitoring the researchers confirmed 13 kills and later discovered a concealed cache of 52 bat carcasses, evidence the rats were actively hunting rather than scavenging. The team describes two attack modes: aerial interception at the cave mouth and ground attacks on bats crawling to roost. How the rats locate prey in near-darkness remains unclear; investigators suspect nonvisual cues such as whisker or auditory sensing.
Why it matters
- This is the first recorded instance of rodents intercepting flying mammals, expanding known rat behavioral flexibility.
- Rats hunting at large hibernacula introduce a new, localized threat to bat colonies already stressed by habitat loss and disease.
- Because brown rats are invasive across much of Europe, similar predation at other major roosts could have broader conservation implications.
- The finding suggests cave geometry and dense bat traffic can create novel ambush opportunities that predators may learn to exploit.
Key facts
- Species observed: brown rat (Rattus norvegicus).
- Location: Segeberg Kalkberg limestone cave, northern Germany, ~30,000 hibernating bats winter there.
- Recording methods: infrared video (autumn 2020, five weeks) and thermal cameras (2021–2024).
- Confirmed observations: 13 kills during five weeks of monitoring; investigators found a hidden cache of 52 bat carcasses.
- Estimated impact: at the documented rate, a small group of rats could eliminate about 7% of the bat population in a single season.
- Described hunting tactics: aerial interception at cave entrance and terrestrial attacks on crawling bats.
- Sensory mechanism: researchers did not confirm vision-based hunting; they suspect whisker and hearing cues.
- Study published in Global Ecology and Conservation (Gloza-Rausch et al., 2025).
What to watch next
- Whether similar rat predation behavior appears at other large hibernation sites is not confirmed in the source.
- The long-term population impact on bats beyond the single-season estimate is not confirmed in the source.
- Local management actions to reduce rat access to roosts have been recommended by the authors as a precaution (confirmed).
Quick glossary
- Hibernaculum: A site used by animals, such as bats, to hibernate through winter when conditions are cold and food is scarce.
- Behavioral plasticity: The ability of an animal to change its behavior in response to environmental conditions or experiences.
- Thermal camera: A device that detects heat (infrared radiation) and produces images based on temperature differences, useful in low-light monitoring.
- Scavenging: Feeding on already dead animals, as opposed to actively hunting and killing prey.
Reader FAQ
Did researchers directly observe rats catching bats in flight?
Yes. Video footage captured rats springing from cave ledges to seize bats mid-flight.
Were the rats merely scavenging dead bats?
The researchers concluded rats were actively hunting, citing 13 confirmed kills and a hidden cache of 52 carcasses.
How do the rats detect bats in near-darkness?
Not confirmed in the source; researchers suspect nonvisual cues such as whisker and hearing inputs.
Is this behavior widespread across Europe?
Not confirmed in the source. The study notes brown rats are invasive across Europe and suggests monitoring other roosts.
ANIMAL Rats Caught on Camera Hunting Flying Bats for the First Time By Ashish Gupta Published October 30, 2025 (Image Credit: Screenshot from supplementary video accompanying Gloza-Rausch et al., “Active…
Sources
- Rats caught on camera hunting flying bats (2025)
- Rats wage war on bats in stunning new footage
- Rats are snatching bats out of the air and eating them
- Rats Are Snatching Bats Out of the Air and Eating Them— …
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