{"id":4702,"date":"2025-07-29T14:49:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.latitude21.re\/nocturnal-wildlife-around-saint-gilles-what-can-you-observe-from-your-terrace"},"modified":"2025-07-29T14:49:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T12:49:03","slug":"nocturnal-wildlife-around-saint-gilles-what-can-you-observe-from-your-terrace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.latitude21.re\/en\/nocturnal-wildlife-around-saint-gilles-what-can-you-observe-from-your-terrace","title":{"rendered":"Nocturnal wildlife around Saint-Gilles: what can you observe from your terrace?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A warm breeze drifts through the palm trees. It’s past 8 p.m., and the action begins on your terrace. <\/em><\/p>\n

Not that of cars or neighbors, no. <\/em><\/p>\n

The more discreet one,<\/em> nocturnal animals to observe in Reunion<\/em>. They come out of their hiding places, slide along the walls. You see them without disturbing them, you hear them without always identifying them. <\/em><\/p>\n

Geckos, bats, moths… Some are endemic, others just passing through. And all contribute to the incredible biodiversity that surrounds you, even in a residential neighborhood. <\/em><\/p>\n

Latitude 21<\/em> , your nature guide dedicated to the riches of the island, invites you to look up… and rediscover your evenings.<\/em><\/p>\n

>>> I choose a room with a terrace to observe the local wildlife in the evening<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Geckos visible around Saint-Gilles<\/h2>\n

They often appear first. Silent, crawling, sometimes lit by a wall spotlight, the geckos visible around Saint-Gilles<\/a> are easily spotted on the white facades. <\/p>\n

These are often nocturnal geckos of the genus Hemidactylus<\/strong> , notably the mercatorius<\/em> or the frenatus<\/em> , two endemic<\/strong> or introduced species that have become familiar.<\/p>\n

Their behavior is dictated by the insects they hunt near light sources. These reptiles, typically visible between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., prefer smooth surfaces, the corners of shutters, and damp walls. <\/p>\n

Our simple tips for observing them without scaring them away<\/strong> :<\/p>\n

\u2192 Lower the intensity of your dim light<\/strong>
\n \u2192 Do not make sudden movements nearby
\n \u2192 Observe while remaining indoors, with the light behind you<\/p>\n

They are among the easiest local species<\/strong> to identify. Their regular presence signals a healthy natural habitat<\/strong> around your home (and that’s worth noting). <\/p>\n

>>> I take advantage of the bar terrace to listen to the night fall gently<\/a><\/p>\n

Bats active after sunset<\/h2>\n

Less visible, but very present, bats in Reunion<\/strong> play a fundamental role in the balance of nocturnal biodiversity around your home<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

Two species can be spotted near Saint-Gilles: the Small Mastiff<\/strong> ( Mormopterus francoismoutoui<\/em> ) and the Mauritius Taphian<\/strong> ( Taphozous mauritianus<\/em> ).<\/p>\n

Their flight is fast, almost silent. They appear above the rooftops around 7:30 p.m. These animals, active after sunset,<\/strong> hunt using ultrasonic sounds<\/strong> , imperceptible to us, but very effective against flying insects<\/strong> . <\/p>\n

\u2192 A single bat<\/strong> can consume up to 3,000 mosquitoes<\/strong> in one night (source: DREAL R\u00e9union)<\/p>\n

Sometimes it only takes a few minutes of quiet time to spot them, looking up at the sky, away from any light pollution<\/strong> . If you hear dry “clicks” near your shutters<\/strong> , it may be one of them, perched in shelter. <\/p>\n

Moths on a terrace in Saint-Gilles<\/h2>\n

The light attracts. And some evenings, your terrace becomes a tiny stage where dozens of wings with varied patterns flutter. These moths on a terrace in Saint-Gilles<\/strong> , also called heterocera, number more than 575 different species<\/strong> on the island. <\/p>\n

By holding a white sheet<\/strong> up to a UV lamp<\/strong> , you can observe up to 40 different species<\/strong> in a single evening (according to local naturalists). Some are true jewels with metallic reflections. Others, duller, go unnoticed. All contribute to a rich but still fragile ecosystem in R\u00e9union<\/strong> . <\/p>\n

\u2192 Contact with artificial light disorients them, modifies their animal behavior<\/strong> and exposes them to predation by geckos<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may also come across some beetles<\/strong> , sometimes massive, often noisy. Their period of activity<\/strong> depends on the weather, the lunar phase and the quiet neighborhood<\/strong> . <\/p>\n

Light pollution and biodiversity in Reunion<\/h2>\n

Even though light helps you see, it sometimes prevents other species from acting. Light pollution and biodiversity in R\u00e9union Island<\/strong> is a subject of increasing study: each year, the \u201cNights Without Light\u201d operation raises awareness of the impact of lighting on seabirds, such as the black petrel<\/strong> and the highland tamarin<\/strong> . <\/p>\n

At home, simple actions can help limit the impact:<\/p>\n

\u2192 Reduce the temperature of your lighting (favor warm tones)
\n \u2192 Install a light fitting<\/strong> facing the ground
\n \u2192 Turn off outdoor spotlights after 10 p.m.<\/p>\n

The species visible in the evening in Saint-Gilles<\/strong> are numerous, but sensitive. Reduced ambient noise<\/strong> , a less exposed terrace, and subdued lighting<\/strong> are often enough to recreate a welcoming environment for this discreet fauna around Reunion Island houses<\/strong> . <\/p>\n

Also read.<\/strong> 5 little-known secrets of the Reunion Island chameleon that you need to know<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover which nocturnal animals you can observe from your terrace in Reunion Island, including geckos, bats and discreet butterflies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNocturnal 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