Greater Horseshoe Bat
Rhinolophus ferrumequinumAlso known as Greater Horseshoe-nosed Bat, Large Horseshoe Bat
Greater horseshoe bats are distinguished by a complex, fleshy nose leaf that focuses their high-frequency echolocation calls. They hunt close to the ground in deciduous woodlands and pastures, using a perch-and-wait strategy to ambush large beetles and moths. During winter, they hibernate in deep caves and abandoned mines, hanging completely free from the ceiling wrapped in their own leathery wings.
- diet
- Large flying insects, particularly beetles, moths, and dung-associated insects
- family
- Rhinolophidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and disturbance of roosting sites
- life Span
- Up to 30 years in the wild
LC
Can carry European bat lyssavirus; never touch or handle bats without professional training and vaccination.
Can carry European bat lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that is fatal to humans if untreated.
Never handle a grounded or injured bat with bare hands; contact a local wildlife rescue group.Highly sensitive to roost disturbance and habitat fragmentation, leading to strict legal protection in Europe.
Keep a respectful distance in caves and avoid shining bright lights directly on roosting clusters.- Roost Etiquette: Avoid entering known hibernation caves during winter to prevent waking bats from torpor.
- Acoustic Detection: Use a bat detector tuned to 81 kHz to hear their constant-frequency echolocation calls.
- Night Watching: Look for them at dusk patrolling along hedgerows and woodland edges at head-height.