Species · GBIF taxon 2432655
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.
NocturnalCave-dwellingEcholocating
Licensed referenceCharles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cockchafers
- Geometrid Moths
- Dung Beetles
Predators
- Domestic Cat
- Barn Owl
- Eurasian Eagle-Owl
ThreatsHabitat loss, pesticide use reducing insect prey, and disturbance of roosting sites
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, pastureland, caves, mines, and old buildings
Life spanUp to 30 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyRhinolophidae
- SpeciesRhinolophus ferrumequinum
Native
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can carry European bat lyssavirus; never touch or handle bats without professional training and vaccination.
- Why it is dangerous
- Can carry European bat lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus that is fatal to humans if untreated.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for the prominent, fleshy horseshoe-shaped structure around the nostrils and a large, dog-like face.
- What to do
- Never handle a grounded or injured bat with bare hands; contact a local wildlife rescue group.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their habit of hanging completely exposed from cave ceilings, wrapped in their wings.
- Support conservation
- Keep a respectful distance in caves and avoid shining bright lights directly on roosting clusters.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Frequent Companion Urheber: Manuel Werner, Germany, Wikipedia-Kontakt: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Werner,_Deutschland / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Jessica, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Julien Renoult · cc-by
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