Greater Horseshoe Bat
The Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Schreber, 1774 ) is a mammal, chiropters of the family Rhinolophus. It lives in open areas, near areas of limestone and with the presence of shrubs and standing water. It prefers to stay at below 1000m above sea level, but occasionally some specimen have been found over 2000m. It is widespread in Italy and the population is decreasing. In the Monti Lattari Regional Park it has been seen in Maiori and Amalfi.
The Greater Horseshoe bat is about 6 cm long and it weighs about 26g. The wingspan can reach 36 cm. It is a nocturnal species. It spends the day sleeping in wall’s cracks or tree’s cavities. This species hibernates between September and April even if it can wake several time during the winter. In order to hibernate it find shelter in underneath cavities such as caves or cellars, as long as the temperature stays around 10 C°. This bat is mainly solitary and tend to sleep hanging upside down to the ceiling.
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Notes
“Monitoraggio del patrimonio di biodiversità. Analisi per la gestione delle risorse ambientali per la conservazione della biodiversità”, Agriconsulting S.p.A dall’Ente Parco Regionale dei Monti Lattari