Fun Greater Horseshoe Bat Facts For Kids

With the reputation of being one of the largest bat species found in Europe, the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) has an unmistakable, horseshoe-shaped fleshy flap of skin on the nose. These unique mammals belong to the family of horseshoe bats with about 106 species, all part of the horseshoe bat genus Rhinolophus. The large size and the horseshoe-shaped noseleaf distinguish it from all other bat species found in the European region. The noseleaf helps the bats in echolocation (navigating and locating prey).Outside Europe, the distribution range of the greater horseshoe bats extends to eastern and central Asia, northern Africa, and Japan. The foraging habitats of the greater horseshoe bats include woodland edges, scrublands, and pastures. When it comes to roosting and hibernation, the species is pretty selective. In winter, the greater horseshoe bats hibernate in warm sites such as caves, tunnels, or abandoned mines. However, these bats are now more commonly seen roosting in old buildings like barns and churches. They hang upside down from the roof, cloaking themselves with their wings and emerging from their roosts after sunset. The greater horseshoe bats prey on insects, particularly moths and beetles.Don’t you think the greater horseshoe bats are interesting animals? Then read on to know more about them! For more relatable content, check out these long-tailed bat facts and ghost bat facts for kids.

What do they prey on? Moths, butterflies, beetles, spiders, caddisflies, crane flies

What do they eat? Insectivore

Average litter size? 1

How much do they weigh? 0.6-1.2 oz (17-34 g)

How long are they? 2.2-2.8 in (5.7-7.1 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brownish-gray and light gray

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss And Reduced Prey Population

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Caves, Scrublands, Old Buildings, Open Pastures, Woodland Edges

Locations Northern Africa, Japan, Eurasia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Rhinolophus

Class Mammalia

Family Rhinolophidae

Greater Horseshoe Bat Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a greater horseshoe bat?These greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) are a species of bat belonging to the horseshoe bat family Rhinolophidae.What class of animal does a greater horseshoe bat belong to?The greater horseshoe bat belongs to the class of Mammalia.How many greater horseshoe bats are there in the world?No reliable information is available regarding the present population estimate of the greater horseshoe bat. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species reports that the species has a decreasing population trend.Where does a greater horseshoe bat live?The greater horseshoe bat typically inhabits woodland edges, scrublands, and pastures, preferably warmer regions with a source of water. In winter, the greater horseshoe bat roosts in warm sites such as caves, tunnels, abandoned mines, and more frequently in the roofs of old buildings like churches and barns.What is a greater horseshoe bat’s habitat?The distribution range of the greater horseshoe bat population covers southern Europe, Japan, central and eastern Asia, and northern Africa. The range extends from southern Europe and North Africa through southwest Asia and the Caucasus to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India, southeastern China, Japan, and Korea. In Europe, the species is restricted to south Wales, southwest England, and the southern parts of Germany, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Poland.Within its habitat, the bat requires specific temperature and humidity conditions, particularly during roosts and hibernation periods. In winter, the bat prefers to roost in caves that are warmer than 44.6-50°F (7-10°C). When the greater horseshoe bats occupy buildings, conditions such as nearby foraging areas, suitable underground roost sites, and proper winter hibernation locations are crucial.Who do greater horseshoe bats live with?These greater horseshoe bats usually sleep in clusters during hibernation. Pregnant female bats form maternity colonies comprising 50-200 individuals during the breeding season.How long does a greater horseshoe bat live?Greater horseshoe bats have a lifespan of up to 30 years.How do they reproduce?Even though the greater horseshoe bat females attain reproductive maturity at about three years, they may not give birth until about the fifth year. Males attain reproductive maturity at two years of age. The mating typically takes place in autumn but may extend to spring. Usually, it is females who visit potential mating partners in the males’ roost sites. Females form maternity colonies comprising around 50-200 individuals. Such communal maternity roosts are where the young are born and taken care of by females. The communal maternity roosts are usually where females were born, and they tend to show strong attachment to such shared spaces.The female gives birth to one pup after a gestation period of about 80 days. The young are usually born during June or July. Females give birth while they are hanging upside down, catching the babies in their wings. The pups open their eyes on the seventh day, can fly by the third or fourth week, and are weaned and ready to leave the roost by the seventh or eighth week.What is their conservation status?According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is a species of Least Concern with a decreasing population trend. It is one of the rarest species of bats in Britain.Greater Horseshoe Bat Fun FactsWhat do greater horseshoe bats look like?The greater horseshoe bat is brownish-gray on the back and lighter gray on the underside. A brownish-gray membrane connects the forearm with the tail. The body is covered with fur, and the ears are pointy and shaped like leaves. However, the most distinguishing physical feature of the greater horseshoe bats is the fleshy noseleaf with a pointed upper part and a horseshoe-shaped lower part. This fleshy flap of skin helps the bats in echolocation, a technique used by certain animals to detect the location of surrounding objects using reflected sound. The bats also have a unique tooth and bone structure because their upper jaw projects out from the row of teeth, a feature that sets them apart from other members of the family.How cute are they?Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is not conventionally cute. The mouth and nose structure may appear to be repulsive to many.How do they communicate?These bats rely on echolocation to navigate and locate prey. They echolocate in the ultrasound frequency range of 69-83 kHz with an average duration of 37.4 milliseconds. The calls are emitted from the nose rather than the mouth and consist of short blasts.How big is a greater horseshoe bat?A greater horseshoe bat has an average length of 2.2-2.8 in (5.7-7.1 cm). It is approximately twice as small as the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus).How fast can a greater horseshoe bat fly?The flight speed estimate of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is not available. However, the bats are known to undertake short, slow glides, fluttering their wings as they travel. They can drink while hovering or when on low-level flights and even lift food off the ground while flying.How much does a greater horseshoe bat weigh?A greater horseshoe bat weighs between 0.6-1.2 oz (17-34 g).What are the male and female names of the species?Male and female bats do not have distinct names.What would you call a baby greater horseshoe bat?A baby bat is called a pup.What do they eat?Greater horseshoe bats are insectivores, and a major part of their diet consists of large insects such as moths, butterflies, and beetles. Spiders and various flies like caddisflies and crane flies may also be included in the bats’ diet.Are they dangerous?These bats are not usually aggressive or particularly dangerous. However, they may be carriers of harmful pathogens like viruses.Would they make a good pet?Bats, in general, do not make good pets or companions, mainly because they are difficult animals to take care of with complicated housing and nutritional requirements.Did you know…The greater horseshoe bats move between winter and summer roost sites, covering a distance of up to 19 mi (30.6 km).Rhinolophus ferrumequinum hunt less during cold weather, especially if the air temperature is not warm enough for insect flight.Common predators of horseshoe bats include owls, falcons, kites, hawks, eagles, snakes, and domestic cats.What does a greater horseshoe bat sound like?Greater horseshoe bats produce ultrasounds in a frequency range that is beyond a human’s hearing capabilities. However, the presence of these bats can be detected using a bat detector that converts the ultrasound calls to audible frequencies. The greater horseshoe bat’s calls sound like continuous warbles on a bat detector.Why is the greater horseshoe bat endangered? The greater horseshoe bat is endangered in several regions of its distribution due to habitat fragmentation, deforestation, loss of underground habitats, and a reduction in the population of insects caused by pesticides.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these little red flying fox surprising facts and fainting goat fun facts for kids pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Halloween bats skeleton coloring pages.Thank you to Kidadler Fiona Mathews for providing the image of Greater Horseshoe Bat in this article.

What type of animal is a greater horseshoe bat?

These greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) are a species of bat belonging to the horseshoe bat family Rhinolophidae.

Fun Greater Horseshoe Bat Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Moths, butterflies, beetles, spiders, caddisflies, crane flies

What do they eat? Insectivore

Average litter size? 1

How much do they weigh? 0.6-1.2 oz (17-34 g)

How long are they? 2.2-2.8 in (5.7-7.1 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brownish-gray and light gray

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss And Reduced Prey Population

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Caves, Scrublands, Old Buildings, Open Pastures, Woodland Edges

Locations Northern Africa, Japan, Eurasia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Rhinolophus

Class Mammalia

Family Rhinolophidae

Fun Greater Horseshoe Bat Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Moths, butterflies, beetles, spiders, caddisflies, crane flies

What do they eat? Insectivore

Average litter size? 1

How much do they weigh? 0.6-1.2 oz (17-34 g)

How long are they? 2.2-2.8 in (5.7-7.1 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brownish-gray and light gray

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss And Reduced Prey Population

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Caves, Scrublands, Old Buildings, Open Pastures, Woodland Edges

Locations Northern Africa, Japan, Eurasia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Rhinolophus

Class Mammalia

Family Rhinolophidae

Fun Greater Horseshoe Bat Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Moths, butterflies, beetles, spiders, caddisflies, crane flies

What do they eat? Insectivore

Average litter size? 1

How much do they weigh? 0.6-1.2 oz (17-34 g)

How long are they? 2.2-2.8 in (5.7-7.1 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Brownish-gray and light gray

Skin Type Fur

What were their main threats? Habitat Loss And Reduced Prey Population

What is their conservation status? Least Concern

Where you’ll find them? Caves, Scrublands, Old Buildings, Open Pastures, Woodland Edges

Locations Northern Africa, Japan, Eurasia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Rhinolophus

Class Mammalia

Family Rhinolophidae