Nocturnal Neighbours: Understanding Bangalore's Night time Wildlife

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When the sun sets over Bangalore and the city lights flicker on, a whole new world begins to stir. While most of us wind down, the city's nocturnal wildlife comes alive—quietly going about their essential roles in our urban ecosystem. At PfA Wildlife Hospital, we often encounter these night time creatures—each playing a vital, though often overlooked, part in maintaining ecological balance.

Who Are These Night time Residents?

1. Fruit Bats and Flying Foxes:
 One of the most visible nocturnal animals in Bangalore are fruit bats, especially the Indian Flying Fox. With wingspans up to 1.5 meters, they silently glide over treetops in search of fruit, aiding seed dispersal and pollination. Their presence in the city’s old trees and parks is a sign of ecological continuity amidst rapid urbanization.

2. Civet Cats and Palm Civets:
 Elusive and often mistaken for domestic cats, civets are shy nocturnal foragers. They feed on fruits, insects, and even small vertebrates. Though rarely seen, they sometimes cause a stir when they take refuge in attics or storerooms, leading to calls for rescue.

3. Barn Owls and Spotted Owlets:
 Silent and precise, owls are crucial for rodent control in urban spaces. The barn owl, with its haunting screech, and the endearing spotted owlet are both common across Bangalore. Sadly, superstition often paints them as omens, leading to unnecessary fear.




4. Indian Nightjars and Bats:
 Camouflaged on tree branches or rooftops during the day, nightjars emerge at dusk to feast on insects. Insects, in turn, are also preyed on by various bat species—natural pest control agents helping manage mosquito populations.



5. Striped Hyenas and Jackals (in city fringes):
 Though more common on Bangalore’s outskirts, these scavengers play an important role in cleaning up organic waste. Reports of hyenas near forest edges and jackals in peri-urban areas serve as reminders of how close our built world lies to the wild.


Why It Matters

Understanding nocturnal wildlife is key to coexisting peacefully. These creatures often go unnoticed until there is a conflict—a bat trapped in a home, an owl injured by a ceiling fan, or a civet cat mistaken for a threat. Each of these moments presents an opportunity to educate and empathize.

By supporting urban biodiversity:

  • We benefit from natural pest control,

  • Encourage seed dispersal and plant regeneration, and

  • Maintain a balanced food chain.

What You Can Do

  • Avoid cutting old trees that serve as roosting or nesting spots.

  • Use soft, shielded lighting in gardens and terraces to reduce disorientation for nocturnal animals.

  • Report rescues instead of taking matters into your own hands—PfA’s team is trained to help.

  • Teach children about these species with curiosity and compassion.

In the End...

The night is not just a time of rest—it is also a realm of survival, movement, and quiet interaction among Bangalore’s wild inhabitants. At PfA Wildlife Hospital, we believe in celebrating and protecting every creature, no matter how silent or shadowed. Because every bat, owl, or civet is a neighbor worth knowing.

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