Mammals
Greater Horseshoe Bat
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum · also called greater horseshoe bats
Hanging wrapped entirely in its own wings, a greater horseshoe bat rests between hunting flights, its elaborate horseshoe-shaped nose the source of echolocation calls precise enough to track a moth through cluttered woodland in complete darkness.
Overview
The greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, is an insect-eating mammal native to forest and grassland habitat across a broad range spanning Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Its distinctive nose-leaf echolocation, wing-wrapped roosting posture, and status as one of the largest horseshoe bat species make it one of the more visually and acoustically distinctive bats found across its range.
A bat that calls through its nose
While most bats send echolocation calls out through an open mouth, the greater horseshoe bat channels its calls through a complex nose-leaf instead, a specialised adaptation shared with its close relatives but rare among bats more broadly.
Status
Least Concern, with populations showing signs of recovery in parts of Europe following historical declines, supported by targeted conservation efforts focused on protecting roost sites.
Greater Horseshoe Bat: common questions
Why does the greater horseshoe bat have such an unusual nose?
This species emits its echolocation calls through an elaborate, horseshoe-shaped flap of skin on its nose rather than through its mouth, a specialised adaptation that gives the species its common name and helps focus its calls with considerable precision.
How does the greater horseshoe bat roost?
This species roosts by wrapping its wings fully around its body, a distinctive posture that sets it apart visually from many other bat species that instead fold their wings at their sides while resting in caves, tunnels, or old buildings.
Why did greater horseshoe bat populations decline?
This species suffered significant historical declines in parts of its range due to the loss of undisturbed roost sites and changes in agricultural land use, though targeted conservation efforts in several countries have supported meaningful population recovery in recent decades.
Where does the greater horseshoe bat live?
This species is native to forest and grassland habitat across a broad range spanning Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, typically roosting in caves, tunnels, and old buildings within reach of insect-rich foraging grounds.