Details
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
Greater horseshoe bat is a mammal associated with forests, grasslands and urban edges. It is carnivorous and colonial or group-living. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Its range is represented here by the Palearctic, where it uses forests, grasslands and urban edges. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.
Typical wingspan 34-40 cm, weight 17 g-34 g. It has a small agile rodent-like build, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.
It is mostly active at night and colonial or group-living. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.
It is carnivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in forests, grasslands and urban edges, so movements often follow available food resources.
As a mammal, it gives birth to live young, and the mother nurses them in cover or within the social group.
Recorded scientifically as Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.
