Bat snatching rats caught in action

The rats were seen hunting bats by catching them when they were flying

If you don't like bats or rats, this probably isn't the story for you.

A type of rodent called Norway rats have been caught in the act - snatching bats to snack on.

The behaviour was filmed on an infrared camera in a cave in northern Germany as part of a study published in the Science Direct journal.

It's thought to be the first time researchers have captured and documented rats hunting bats.

They say the invasive species of rat could cause real problems for the bat population.

Scientists captured the rare behaviour using infrared cameras and thermal imaging devices between 2020 and 2024.

The rats are hunting in the dark and it's thought they may use their whiskers to locate the bats, by sensing the air changes caused by the bats' wings.

Lead author of the study Florian Gloza-Rausch said this skillful hunting method used by the rats highlights a conservation issue.

Bat populations are already struggling because of things like habitat loss and light pollution.

The scientists think that bat numbers in the cave could be reduced by thousands by even a small number of rats.

They say more needs to be done to control the number of rats so the bats can be protected.