Lesser Horseshoe Bat
Rhinolophus hipposideros
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderChiroptera (Bats)
- FamilyRhinolophidae (Horseshoe Bats)
- GenusRhinolophus (Horseshoe Bats)
- SpeciesRhinolophus hipposideros (Lesser Horseshoe Bat)
About the Lesser Horseshoe Bat
The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) is a type of small European and North African insectivorous bat, related to its larger cousin, the greater horseshoe bat. As with all horseshoe bats, the species gets its name from its distinctive horseshoe-shaped noseleaf.
The lesser horseshoe bat is one of the world's smallest bats, weighing only 5 to 9 grams (0.18 to 0.32 oz), with a wingspan of 192–254 millimetres (7.6–10.0 in) and a body length of 35–45 millimetres (1.4–1.8 in). It has strong feet that it uses to grasp rocks and branches, and can see well in spite of its small eyes. Like most bats, lesser horseshoe bats live in colonies and hunt their prey by echolocation, emitting ultrasound from specialized round pads in their mouth.
The base of its fur, which is soft and fluffy, is light grey in colour, with dorsal side fur smoky brown and the ventral side grey, with the exception of juvenile bats which are entirely dark grey. Ears and wing membranes are a light greyish brown.
When hunting they are quick and agile, often flying within five metres of the ground while avoiding contact with bushes and shrubs. The lesser horseshoe bat eats small insects... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Lesser Horseshoe Bat in Mercantour National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Mercantour National Park
Greater Horseshoe Bat
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
Savi's Pipistrelle
Hypsugo savii
Western Barbastelle
Barbastella barbastellus
Brown Big-eared Bat
Plecotus auritus
Alcathoe Bat
Myotis alcathoe
Lesser Noctule
Nyctalus leisleri
Kuhl's pipistrelle
Pipistrellus kuhlii
Gray big-eared bat
Plecotus austriacus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cévennes National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 2 | Mercantour National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 3 | Pyrénées National Park | 🇫🇷 France | |
| 4 | Snowdonia National Park | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
| 5 | Triglav National Park | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | |
| 6 | Plitvice Lakes National Park | 🇭🇷 Croatia | |
| 7 | Picos de Europa National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 8 | Aigüestortes National Park | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
| 9 | Tatra National Park | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | |
| 10 | Ecrins National Park | 🇫🇷 France |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Lesser Horseshoe Bat in Mercantour National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Horseshoe Bat sighting in Mercantour National Park, based on 16 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Lesser Horseshoe Bat in Mercantour National Park?
February has the highest sighting rate for Lesser Horseshoe Bat in Mercantour National Park in our monthly data.