Veliki potkovičar - Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Greater Horseshoe Bat

Abstract

Greater Horseshoe Bat prefers mosaic habitats with deciduous forests, pastures and hedges. In northern areas it roosts in buildings and in the south in caves or mines. Maternity colonies include 20-200 individuals, while hibernation colonies reach 30-500 bats. This species is sedentary, migrating 20-30 km between summer and winter roosts. It has been ringed in Serbia since 1955, with 1,885 marked individuals at 67 localities and 161 recovery records. The most important areas are E and NE Serbia, particularly caves Lazareva Pećina, Hajdučka Pećina and Vernjikica cave in Bor district, while in W Serbia they were recorded in several caves in Valjevo District. There are five records of bats ringed in Serbia and photographed in Romania.