Head to head
Greater Mouse-eared Bat vs Greater Horseshoe Bat
Greater Mouse-eared Bat
VS Greater Horseshoe Bat
The greater mouse-eared bat and greater horseshoe bat are two of the larger bats of Europe, both roosting in caves and attics, but they find their food in very different ways.
| Greater Mouse-eared Bat | Greater Horseshoe Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Myotis myotis | Rhinolophus ferrumequinum |
| Range | Woodland, grassland, and farmland across much of Europe and parts of the Middle East | Forest and grassland across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia |
| Size | Among the largest bats of Europe, with a wingspan of up to around 40 cm | Among the largest of the horseshoe bats |
| Diet | Large ground beetles and other big insects | Moths, beetles, and other flying insects, caught in flight or plucked from vegetation |
| Hunting | Listens for the faint sounds of beetles moving on the ground, then swoops down | Emits echolocation calls through a horseshoe-shaped flap of skin on its nose rather than its mouth |
| Roosting | Forms big colonies in attics, church roofs, and caves in summer | Wraps its wings fully around its body when roosting |
| Winter | Hibernates in caves and similar underground sites | Hibernates in caves, tunnels, and other stable underground sites, in smaller numbers |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, increasing as it recovers in parts of Europe after roost loss |
Greater Mouse-eared Bat vs Greater Horseshoe Bat: common questions
How does the greater mouse-eared bat find beetles?
It listens for the faint sounds of beetles moving on the ground, then swoops down to seize them.
Why is the greater horseshoe bat called that?
It has an elaborate horseshoe-shaped nose-leaf through which it sends out its echolocation calls.
Where do the greater mouse-eared and greater horseshoe bats live?
The greater mouse-eared bat lives across Europe and parts of the Middle East, while the greater horseshoe bat lives across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.