Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats are the only bats in the UK from the Rhinolophidae family. It is often said that a Greater Horseshoe is the size of a pear and a Lesser Horseshoe the size of a plum. The most distinguishing feature of Horseshoe bats is their nose leaf, which is a peculiar structure covering part of their muzzle. This identifying feature plays a vital role in Horseshoe echolocation. The nose leaf can direct the bats echo’s and alter the sound, thus making hunting prey more effective.
Greater Horseshoe bats roost in old buildings, barns, mines and caves. They have faced declines in numbers in the last hundred years and are classed as near threatened in Wales. In England they are only found in the south-west and western counties.
The Lesser Horseshoe bat prefers to roost in old barns, churches, old houses and stables. In the winter they will head underground to hibernate in caves and mines.