Rhinolophus capensis
Cape horseshoe bat

The geographic range of Cape horseshoe bats (Rinolophus capensis), includes only the very southern portions of the Ethiopian zoogeographic region. Cape horseshoe bats have a very small distribution and are an endemic species of the Cape Province of Southern Africa. They may also appear in coastal areas of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. They are uncommon on the eastern shores of South Africa. (Brown and Bernard, 1994; Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005; Wilson and Reeder, 2005)

Cape horseshoe bats can be found in tropical coastal habitats of South Africa with underground caves or abandoned mines for roosting. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005; McDonald, Rautenbach, and Nel, 1990; Taylor, 1999)

Cape horseshoe bats are small to medium size bats. Their head and body are typically 23 to 24 mm; their tail is 9 to 13 mm in length, and their forearms are 48 to 52 mm. They have a wingspan of 47 to 52 cm. There is no recorded weight for R. capensis but most other species of Rhinolophus weigh 16.5 to 28 g. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005; Skinner and Smithers, 1990)

Their coloration is a dark brown with the bases of their hair typically being slightly lighter in color. Their undersides have a light gray appearance and their wings are a dark brown color. (Taylor, 1999)

Cape horseshoe bats, like other horseshoe bat species, have unique nose leaf structures used in echolocation. Their common name is derived from these horseshoe shaped nose leaf structures. Their nose leaves help in echolocation and also shield the ears from the direct impulses coming back to them from an object in front of them. Their ears are very large and they have short legs that will not support movement on the ground. (McDonald, 2001; Nowak, 1999; Taylor, 1999)

There is no good documentation on the life expectancy of R. capensis. Longevity in other Rhinolophus species is generally 4 to 7 years. (Taylor, 1999)

Cape horseshoe bats are mainly nocturnal, coming out of underground caves in the evening to feed and returning to roost before sunrise. They have been known to migrate short distances to hibernation caves (hibernacula). Population densities of R. capensis were highest during winter hibernation. Cape horseshoe bats have been documented migrating up to 10 km to hibernacula (6.2 mi). (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005; McDonald, Rautenbach, and Nel, 1990; Taylor, 1999)

Cape horseshoe bats are gregarious, colonial roosters, with numbers in the thousands at certain roost sites. They roost singly and in small or large, loose groups of individuals, sometimes they roost in clusters. They tend to roost in cavities in the ceiling or against walls where they can hang freely. They enfold their bodies with their wings to expose the most naked skin. This is thought to allow their body temperatures to drop low enough to induce torpor. (McDonald, Rautenbach, and Nel, 1990)

Cape horseshoe bats are gregarious which means they enjoy the company of others and are highly social animals. In these caves, you may find large numbers of R. capensis. When roosting they roost singly and in small or large loose groups of individuals, however, they will often roosts in clusters. They tend to roost in cavities in the ceiling or against walls or ceilings of caves where they can freely hang without out any hindrances (McDonald, Rautenbach, and Nel, 1990; Taylor, 1999)

Home Range

Home ranges in Cape horseshoe bats have not been reported. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005)

Cape horseshoe bats are nocturnal and roost in dark caves. They use echolocation to navigate and locate prey. They may also use some social vocalizations, although this is not well documented. Like most mammals, they use chemical cues to communicate reproductive state and as a way of recognizing individuals, such as mothers recognizing their young. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005)

Cape horseshoe bats are insectivores with a high percentage of their diet consisting of beetles. They hunt at night and catch insects in mid flight using their uropatagium to catch prey items. Cape horseshoe bats have short, broad wings that give them the ability to maneuver through dense foliage in flight. They use high echolocation frequencies and fly slowly over dense vegetation to pick off insect prey. Cape horseshoe bats will glean prey and may also hunt from perches. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005; McDonald, 2001; Skinner and Smithers, 1990)

Predators of Rhinolophus capensis have not been documented. Because they are nocturnal and fly, their most likely predators will be nocturnal raptors, such as owls. Cave dwelling carnivores could also prey on R. capensis when roosting.

Cape horseshoe bats, like most insectivorous bat species, exert strong influence on insect populations. They are also prey for nocturnal raptors and some other predators. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005)

Although there is no documented negative effect on humans, R. capensis living near urban areas are probably seen as nuisances if they enter human structures. Like other mammal species, Cape horseshoe bats can carry and transmit diseases that affect humans, such as rabies.

Cape horseshoe bats are efficient at reducing insect populations that may be pests to humans. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005)

Cape horseshoe bats are considered vulnerable by the IUCN because of their limited distribution and specialized roosting requirements. (Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2005)

The type locality of R. capensis is the Cape of Good Hope in the Province of South Africa. It was discovered in 1823. It has one synonym: R. auritus. (Wilson and Reeder, 2005)