| French: | PETIT RHINOLOPHE FER À CHEVAL |
|---|---|
| Spanish: | MURCIÉLAGO PEQUEÑO DE HERRADURA |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Chiroptera |
| Family | Rhinolophidae |
| Genus | Rhinolophus (1) |
| Size | Wingspan: 192-254 mm (2) Head-body length: 35-45 mm (2) |
| Weight | 5-9 g (2) |
The lesser horseshoe bat is classified as Lesser Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1). European populations are listed under Appendix II of The Bonn Convention (2), Appendix II of the Bern Convention, and Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats and Species Directive. In the UK it is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and Schedule 2 of the Conservation Regulations 1994 (3).
The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) is one of the smallest British bats (2). It has soft fluffy fur, which is brownish on the back and grey-white on the underside (4). At rest, this delicate bat wraps its wings around its body as it hangs upside down (2). Juveniles are dark grey in colour (4). The generic name Rhinolophus derives from the Greek for 'nose crest', and the specific name hipposideros derives from the Greek for 'horse-iron' or horseshoe (5). This name refers to the complex nose-leaf, which is thought to act as an 'acoustic lens', focusing echolocation pulses that are emitted from the nose (6).
Once found roosting only in caves, maternity roosts now occur in old buildings, often in warm attics. Hibernation still tends to take place underground (3) in caves, mines and cellars (4). The lesser horseshoe bat feeds in sheltered valleys (2), and foothills (4) amongst mixed woodland, and along hedgerows and tree lines (3).
When hunting, the lesser horseshoe bat flies close to the ground, usually below five metres around bushes and shrubs (4) with fast, agile flight (4). They glean their prey from stones and branches; favourite prey items include flies, moths and spiders (2). The ultrasound calls tend to be around 110 kHz. This species mates in the autumn, and females give birth to one young between mid-June and the beginning of July (4) in mixed-sex maternity colonies (2). The young become independent at six to seven weeks of age (4). Hibernation occurs between September and May (4).
Twelve sites are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) for the lesser horseshoe bat, four of which are candidate SACs (Special Areas of Conservation), 70 further sites supporting this species occur within existing SSSIs (3). This species is part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme, which aims to establish a long-term monitoring programme and is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The Species Action Plan aims to encourage the long-term expansion of the current range through natural recolonisation (3).
For more on the lesser horseshoe bat:
The Vincent Wildlife Trust:
http://www.vwt.org.uk/index.php
Information authenticated by the Bat Conservation Trust:
http://www.bats.org.uk/
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