The Lesser Horseshoe Bat is quite a rare bat that is generally only found in open woodlands in the south west of England. It is believed to be one of the smallest bats in the world with a head and body length of around four centimetres. It is related to the Greater Horseshoe Bat.

The Lesser Horseshoe Bat’s name comes from a horseshoe-shaped flap situated around its nostrils. This bat has long reddish-brown fur on its back and pale reddish-brown fur on its underside. Its wings are grey-brown and quite broad. It is a quick flier that flaps its wings rapidly.  It also likes to fly quite low to the ground where it hunts for insects.

In summer Lesser Horseshoe Bats often roost in large groups in the roofs of big rural houses, in cellars and in caves. They like to fly in their roosts with other bats before flying out just after sunset. They hunt for most of the night and return to their roosts about one to two hours before sunrise. When these bats roost, they hang down by their feet and wrap their wings around their bodies. In winter Lesser Horseshoe Bats hibernate in caves, mines and cellars.