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Hibernation
Lesser horseshoe bats spend the winter in hibernation, often taking shelter underground in caves, cellars, tunnels and mines.
Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
Plum-sized and pink-faced, the lesser horseshoe bat is one of the smallest bats in the UK. Look out for them at dusk in woodland, but not in winter when they hibernate underground in caves and tunnels.
Quick facts
Common name: Lesser horseshoe bat
Scientific name: Rhinolophus hipposideros
Family: Rhinolophidae
Habitat: woodland, pasture, wetland areas
Diet: moths, midges, flies and spiders
Predators: domestic cats, sparrowhawks
Origin: native
What do lesser horseshoe bats look like?
One of the smallest bats in the UK, the lesser horseshoe is roughly the same size as a plum when its wings are tucked in. It has greyish brown fur with a paler underside and a pink face. Like its cousin, the greater horseshoe bat, it has a fleshy, horseshoe-shaped nose leaf. Its ears are large, triangular and have a sharp point.
What do lesser horseshoe bats eat?
Moths, midges, spiders and flies make up the lesser horseshoe bat’s diet. It hunts relatively close to the ground, rarely flying more than five metres above it. Bats will often take larger prey back to a perch to eat.
How do lesser horseshoe bats breed?
The breeding season for lesser horseshoe bats takes place in autumn. The following spring, females will form maternity roosts. They usually give birth to a single pup in July or August, and the young become independent at roughly a month to six weeks old.
Did you know?
These bats can twist their bodies to observe their surroundings before flying away.
Where do lesser horseshoe bats live?
These bats normally roost in old buildings, barns and churches and feed along woodland edges, hedgerows, wetlands and over pasture. They are found in the west of England, Wales and western Ireland.
Signs and spotting tips
Look out for these bats around 30 minutes after the sun sets in areas of woodland, pasture and hedgerows. Be very quiet as lesser horseshoe bats are very sensitive to disturbance.
Did you know?
Lesser horseshoes are the only bat species which can move their ears to help them locate their prey.
Threats and conservation
The lesser horseshoe bat population is currently thought to be increasing. However, it still faces a number of threats, including a loss of prey caused by agricultural intensification and the presence of artificial lighting, which may cause bats to avoid otherwise suitable habitat.
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