Cape horseshoe bat

Rhinolophus capensis

TAXONOMY

Rhinolophus capensis Lichtenstein, 1823, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Head and body length 2.3–2.4 in (5.8–6.2 cm); tail 0.9–1.3 in (2.4–3.2 cm); forearm 1.9–2.1 in (4.8–5.2 cm); weight not recorded. Upperparts dark brown, hairs cream basally; underparts light fawn-gray; wings dark brown.

DISTRIBUTION

Coastal belt of western and southern South Africa.

HABITAT

Coastal habitats associated with caves.

BEHAVIOR

Gregarious; roosts in caves and disused mines, hanging in clusters. Hibernates in winter. Migrations of 6.2 mi (10 km) noted.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Eats mainly beetles; feeds on the wing, flying slowly in dense vegetation; also perch-hunts; may also glean.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Spermatogenesis occurs October–May; male stores sperm. Copulation and ovulation in spring (August–September); gestation 3–4 months; single young born November–December. Young cling to mothers during day. Probably polygynous.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Locally common to abundant, with roosts of thousands recorded, but considered Vulnerable because of its restricted distribution and relatively few suitable underground roosts.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

None known.