Rhinolophus hipposideros
Rhinolophus hipposideros
The Lesser Horseshoe bat is the smallest European horseshoe bat with a wingspan of 190-254 mm. It has soft, fluffy brown fur, small strong feet and very broad, rounded wings, with which it wraps itself during hibernation. It can be distinguished from other Rhinolophidae not only because of its size but also because of its longer and pointier sella tip.
Decreasing according to the IUCN Red List.
The Lesser Horseshoe bat faces threats such as the fragmentation and isolation of habitats, the disturbance and loss of underground habitats and the loss of attics (through loft conversions in human homes). Other threats include the effects of pesticides and agricultural intensification.
R. hipposideros is widely distributed and can be found in all European countries (also islands) of the Mediterranean region. In North Africa it is recorded from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and the eastern part of the Sinai (to Egypt).
