# Horseshoe Bat (*Rhinolophus ferrumequinum*) Horseshoe bats are unique bats with large ears that look like horseshoes. They use echolocation to find insects to eat at night and roost in caves during the day. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Cave Dwelling - **Also known as:** Greater Horseshoe Bat, Horseshoe Bats ![Horseshoe Bat](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424673/objects/6162.jpg) ## Appearance The Horseshoe Bat has soft, fluffy brown-grey fur on its back and lighter, almost white fur on its belly. Its most distinctive feature is the complex, fleshy, horseshoe-shaped nose leaf surrounding its nostrils. It also has large, pointed ears. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Chiroptera - **Family:** Rhinolophidae - **Genus:** Rhinolophus ## Interesting facts - A Horseshoe Bat can make over 100 echolocation calls every second when hunting! - Some individuals have been known to live for an amazing 30 years in the wild! - They emit echolocation calls from their nostrils, not their mouths, unlike most other bats! - They use their tail membrane like a net to catch flying insects in mid-air. ## Special abilities - **Echo Navigator:** Horseshoe Bat can 'see' in the dark by sending out high-pitched squeaks and listening to their echoes with its specialized nose-leaf. - **Winged Acrobat:** Horseshoe Bat has wide, leathery wings that help them fly very slowly and maneuver precisely through cluttered environments. - **Hanging Sleeper:** Horseshoe Bat can hang upside down by its strong feet, allowing it to rest safely and launch into flight easily. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5.7-7.1 cm - **Wingspan:** 35-40 cm - **Weight:** 0.013-0.034 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-30 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 70-75 days ## Diet & Feeding These nocturnal hunters zip through the night, snatching up insects and creepy crawlies! - **Primary Foods:** Moths, Beetles, Flies, Lacewings, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tawny Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-owl) (*Strix aluco*) — A common predator often snatching bats from their roosts. - **Eaten by:** [Pine Marten](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pine-marten) (*Martes martes*) — This agile mammal climbs into roosts to prey on hibernating bats. - **Hunts:** [Large Yellow Underwing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/large-yellow-underwing) (*Noctua pronuba*) — A common moth species that makes up a significant part of their diet. - **Hunts:** [Common Cockchafer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-cockchafer) (*Melolontha melolontha*) — These large, slow-flying beetles are easy targets for foraging bats. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Cave Dwelling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cave-dwelling): Cave dwelling describes organisms specifically adapted to live in underground cave systems, often exhibiting specialized traits due to lack of light. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Bats are shy animals, so it's best to watch them from a distance and not disturb them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Horseshoe Bat? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Horseshoe Bat? 5.7-7.1 cm ### What is Horseshoe Bat's wingspan? 35-40 cm ### How much does Horseshoe Bat weigh? 0.013-0.034 kg ### How long does Horseshoe Bat live? 6-30 years ### How fast can Horseshoe Bat move? 25 km/h ### What does Horseshoe Bat eat? These nocturnal hunters zip through the night, snatching up insects and creepy crawlies! ### Where is Horseshoe Bat usually found? Cave Dwelling ## Where to spot - [Naturpark Hirschwald](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hirschwald-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gola-della-rossa-and-frasassi-regional-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Armorique Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armorique-regional-nature-park) — Bretagne, FR · Park - [Bologna Gypsum and Abbadessa Badlands Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bologna-gypsum-and-abbadessa-badlands-regional-park) — IT · Park - [Collados del Asón Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/collados-del-ason-natural-park) — Cantabria, ES · Park - [Monte Arabí Natural Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monte-arabi-natural-monument) — Región de Murcia, ES · Park [View all places to see Horseshoe Bat](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/horseshoe-bat) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Horseshoe Bat: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/horseshoe-bat)