FAMILY RHINOLOPHIDAE (HORSESHOE BATS)

Identification

Nose-leaf with horseshoe-shaped base and single point at top

Many nodules on nose-leaf

Large ears

Tragus absent

Tail present, variable size

Food

Moths, beetles, spiders

Roosts

Caves and mines, occasionally buildings, foliage, and tree hollows

Number of species worldwide: 69 (occurs in the Old World only)

Number of species in Southern Africa: 10

Common horseshoe bats in KZN

Geoffroy’s horseshoe bat  -  Rhinolophus clivosus

Bushveld horseshoe bat -  Rhinolophus simulator

Darling’s horseshoe bat  -  Rhinolophus darlingi