Head to head
Lesser Horseshoe Bat vs Greater Horseshoe Bat
Lesser Horseshoe Bat
VS Greater Horseshoe Bat
The lesser horseshoe bat and greater horseshoe bat are two European members of the horseshoe bat family, alike in how they call and roost but differing in size, roost sites, and recent fortunes.
| Lesser Horseshoe Bat | Greater Horseshoe Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rhinolophus hipposideros | Rhinolophus ferrumequinum |
| Size | Europe's smallest horseshoe bat, around the size of a plum | Among the largest members of its genus |
| Nose-leaf | Sends out its echolocation calls through a horseshoe-shaped flap of skin on its nose | Emits its echolocation calls through an elaborate horseshoe-shaped nose-leaf rather than its mouth |
| Roosting posture | Hangs freely with its wings wrapped around its body like a cloak | Roosts wrapped fully in its own wings |
| Roost sites | Roof spaces and buildings in summer, and caves and mines in winter | Hibernates in caves, tunnels, and other stable underground sites |
| Diet | Small flies, midges, and moths, often caught close to vegetation | Moths, beetles, and other flying insects, caught in flight or plucked from vegetation |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, including Ireland and western Britain | Forest and grassland across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though it has declined in places from roost loss | Least Concern, increasing as it recovers in parts of Europe |
Lesser Horseshoe Bat vs Greater Horseshoe Bat: common questions
Which horseshoe bat is smaller?
The lesser horseshoe bat, which is around the size of a plum and the smallest of the European horseshoe bats.
Why are they called horseshoe bats?
Both have a horseshoe-shaped flap of skin on the nose through which they send out their echolocation calls.
Where do the lesser and greater horseshoe bats live?
The lesser horseshoe bat lives across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, including Ireland and western Britain, while the greater horseshoe bat lives across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.