One of the coolest things about horseshoe bats is that they give birth upside down hanging by their feet! Can you imagine? They can also live up to 30 years.
Did you know that all bat species and their roosts are protected in the U.K. under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981? That's great news for bats!
Source: Bat Conservation Trust: Greater Horseshoe Bat
Why Greater Horseshoe Bats Need Our Help
Greater horseshoe bats like many bats in the U.K., are endangered and the greater horseshoe bat is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. They can now only be found in SW England and S. Whales. Their population numbers have decreased by approximately 90% in the past 100 years. Greater horseshoe bats are threatened in large part because of roost disturbance, agriculture, and the use of pesticides, which has reduced the numbers of one of their favourite foods - beetles.
Help Save Greater Horseshoe Bats
Greater horseshoe bats are one of the largest bats in the U.K., but are still only the size of a small pear.
Listen to a greater horseshoe bat. It's a very cool sound.Did you know that all bat species and their roosts are protected in the U.K. under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981? That's great news for bats!
Source: Bat Conservation Trust: Greater Horseshoe Bat
Why Greater Horseshoe Bats Need Our Help
Greater horseshoe bats like many bats in the U.K., are endangered and the greater horseshoe bat is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. They can now only be found in SW England and S. Whales. Their population numbers have decreased by approximately 90% in the past 100 years. Greater horseshoe bats are threatened in large part because of roost disturbance, agriculture, and the use of pesticides, which has reduced the numbers of one of their favourite foods - beetles.
Help Save Greater Horseshoe Bats
- Volunteer for Bats in the U.K., help monitor bats, assist on the bat helpline, etc.
- Join the Bat Conservation Trust in the U.K.
- Join your local bat group, there are 10 local bat groups in the U.K.
- Volunteer with the Purbeck Bat Project
- Join in on the Bat Discussion Forum
- Visit Woodchester Mansion and the surrounding parkland for a possible glimpse of the greater horseshoe bat
More info: How the bat flap will save endangered species
Greater Horseshoe Bat photo courtesy of: Bat Ecology and Bioacoustics Laboratory, Dept of Biosciences, University of Bristol.
