Wildlife

Greater Horseshoe Bat: Rare Cave Dweller in Danger

The greater horseshoe bat is one of Britains rarest mammals with a tiny population concentrated in south-west England and Wales.

Key Facts

UK greater horseshoe bat population is estimated at around 6,500 individuals
They hibernate in caves and old mines from October to April
Greater horseshoes require traditional cattle and horse grazed pasture for insect prey
Maternity colonies use warm buildings particularly old farm buildings
They are named for the horseshoe-shaped nose leaf used for echolocation

Welfare Considerations

Greater horseshoe bats face welfare threats from loss of traditional mixed farming that reduced large beetle and moth prey. Cave and mine disturbance during hibernation causes energy expenditure that can kill bats already in a caloric deficit. Roost loss from building renovation removes maternity colonies. Insecticides reduce beetle populations. Climate change disrupts the synchrony between bat emergence and insect prey availability.

What You Can Do

Support the Bat Conservation Trust greater horseshoe recovery programme
Never disturb hibernating bats in caves or old buildings during winter
Advocate for maintenance of traditional cattle pasture near known roost sites
Support cave and old building conservation that retains bat roost opportunities
Donate to insect monitoring projects that track invertebrate prey availability for bats