Mediterranean horseshoe bat

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Mediterranean horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus euryale in flight

Rhinolophus euryale in flight

Systematics
Superordinate : Laurasiatheria
Order : Bats (chiroptera)
Superfamily : Horseshoe bat (Rhinolophoidea)
Family : Rhinolophidae
Genre : Horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus )
Type : Mediterranean horseshoe bat
Scientific name
Rhinolophus euryale
Blasius , 1853

The Mediterranean horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus euryale ) is a bat from the family of horseshoe bats .

With a maximum body length of 58 mm, a weight of 8 to 17.5 g and a wingspan of 30 to 32 cm, it belongs to the medium-sized species. The upper side of the animals is gray-brown and slightly purple or tinged reddish, the underside is gray to yellow-white. The fur is loose, the lips and nose are bare.

The IUCN classifies the Mediterranean horseshoe bat as "low endangered" (near threatened) .

Distribution area and habitat

The Mediterranean horseshoe bat is found particularly in the area around the Mediterranean , mostly not north of the 47th parallel. An isolated occurrence exists in southern Slovakia .

It lives in wooded and warm areas, in the mountains and foothills. Karst areas with caves and bodies of water are often populated. The local bat lives in caves, and in its northern range also in warm attics. The gregarious animal often shares its home with other bat species.

Way of life

The Mediterranean horseshoe bat leaves its home in the late dusk. It hunts moths and other insects on warm mountain slopes or in the foliage in the very agile juggling or shaking flight . Fixed feeding places are sometimes sought out.

The nursery roosts contain up to 400 females, sometimes a few males. Up to 2000 specimens are found in winter quarters.

protection

The Mediterranean horseshoe bat is listed by the European Union in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and is therefore a species of Community interest that must be strictly protected, and special protection areas must be designated for their preservation.

literature

Web links

Commons : Mediterranean horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus euryale )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files