Dietmar Nill / naturepl

Lesser Horseshoe Bat

Lesser Horseshoe Bat facts

Status

Native and Least Concern

Native and listed as Least Concern on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. European Protected Species (Annex IV) of European Habitats Directive.

Scientific name

Rhinolophus hipposideros

Average Lifespan

Up to 30 years

Head and body length

3.5 - 4.5cm

Wingspan

20 - 25cm

Surveying Services

Bat Dropping ID Biological Species ID

Overview

The lesser horseshoe bat is one of the smallest British species of bat and confined to Wales, the West of England and the West of Ireland. They are able to completely wrap their wings around their body while at rest. Formerly a cave-dweller, the Lesser Horseshoe Bat now roosts in old houses, churches, stables and barns. They feed amongst vegetation in lowland valleys, rarely flying more than five metres above ground. They hibernate over the winter in caves, disused mines, tunnels and cellars.

Sampling Advice

A dropping sample with sufficient biological material to be used as a reserve is required in case the extraction is unsuccessful the first time.
The fresher a sample is, the more likely the test will be able to extract viable DNA.
Samples can be taken using a bat dropping collection kit or using your own secure containers/resources.