HORSESHOE BAT

any of about 70 species of large-eared, insect-eating bats of the genera Rhinolophus and Rhinomegalophus, family Rhinolophidae. Horseshoe bats are found in tropical and temperate regions from Europe to Japan. Their name refers to the large, complex nose leaf (fleshy structure on the muzzle) in which one of the three sections resembles a horseshoe. Horseshoe bats are usually brownoccasionally red. Members of the genus Rhinolophus, one of the most successful genera of bats in terms of numbers of species (about 50) and individuals, are about 3.511 cm (1.44.3 inches) long without the 2.54.5-centimetre tail and weigh 530 g (0.171 ounce). Horseshoe bats live in groups and roost in damp, dark places, such as caves. Species native to temperate regions hibernate in winter. The bats of the family Hipposideridae are closely related to horseshoe bats and are sometimes included in this family as the subfamily Hipposiderinae or Rhinolophinae.