
The lesser horseshoe bat is one of the two species of horseshoe bats in the UK, weighing just over 5 grams and comparable in size to a pipistrelle. These bats uniquely hang by their feet from ceilings, relying on flight to access their roosts. They show strong loyalty to their roosts, returning to the same locations across generations. Their name comes from the horseshoe-shaped nose leaf, which enhances their echolocation abilities, making it difficult for prey to detect them.
Mating occurs in autumn and winter, with females storing sperm until spring. Maternity colonies are formed in spring, and typically one pup is born by June or July, becoming capable of flying after about five weeks. Lesser horseshoe bats mainly feed on insects like dung flies, crane flies, and small moths, foraging effectively in woodlands and along hedgerows.
These bats are sensitive to artificial lighting, which affects their foraging areas. They roost in larger rural houses and stable blocks during summer and hibernate in cool, humid sites like mines and caves during winter. Found mainly in southwest England and Wales, their range has contracted, but careful land management may help restore it.
Lesser horseshoe bats have faced declining prey availability due to agricultural practices and habitat fragmentation. Noise and disturbances, along with habitat losses from modern development, also pose threats. However, protections established in 1981 have aided in stabilizing their populations. This species thrives in diverse landscapes with small pastures and woodlands, where hedgerows enhance habitat connectivity.