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THE NOCTULE
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appreciate when we are unable to hear them. The greatest horseshoe locates its flying prey by hearing, and possibly the noctule does the same. When my bats were fully awake a loud noise, such as that caused by dropping a book, kicking the leg of the table, or shooting, caused them no annoyance; but the scratch of lighting a match, a sudden hiss, or similar low note always startled them. It was interesting to note what sounds caused their ears to twitch and made them raise their heads.
