© Stuart M Bennett 2012
Lessr Horseshoe

Rhinolophus hipposideros

Lesser Horseshoe Bat


This bat is particularly endangered in fact it has become extinct in the North of Engand within the las 50 years, and it is threatened with extinction throughout Northern Europe.

General Biology:

Size:Head and Body 37 - 45 mm ( 1.5 inches ). Tail length 23 - 33 mm. Wingspan 192 - 254 mm Weight is 5 - 9grams
( 1/5 - 1/4 oz ) An average male weighs 10% less than the females.

Colour: Soft fluffy fur base of the hairs is light grey; back is smoky brown without the reddish tint, underside is grey to grey - white, ears and wing membranes are light greyish brown.

Breeding Season: September - November; female stores the sperm in her uterus.

Gestation Period: The females move into nurseries from April onwards initially 20% of the roost is comprised of Males although they leave when the young are born.

Number of Young: All give birth to a single offspring. Approximately 50%- 60% give birth between mid June and the begining of July, but some birth as late as the begining of August. Roosts are often shared with the Greater Mouse Eared Bat but no mixing occurs. Eyes open in c. 3 days fully weaned in 4 - 5 weeks totally independant in 6-7 weeks.

Food: This bat is also a gleaner picking prey off stones and shrubbery. Mostly moths insects and larvae (caterpillars) Crane flies, mosquitoes, gnats, beetles and spiders.

Predators: Owls cats and men.

Distribution: Threatened with extinction in Northern Europe and extinct in Northern Britain.


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