Rhinolophus denti
Dent's horseshoe bat

Rhinolophus denti is found in arid savanna regions of western and southern Africa. In West Africa they range from southeastern Senegal to northeastern Ghana. In southern Africa they are found primarily in Namibia, Botswana, and northwestern South Africa. A subspecies, R. d. knorri, is found only in Guinea and has an average forearm length of only 37.5 to 40.5 mm. Populations seem to be patchily distributed and western and southern populations seem to be disjunct, although this may reflect insufficient sampling. (Churchill, Draper, and Marais, 1997; Jacobs et al., 2008)

Dent's horseshoe bats prefer arid savanna climates and roost in caves and cave-like structures, such as abandoned mine shafts and hollow trees. In winter, when the temperature drops below 11 degrees Celsius, they conserve energy by entering hibernation deep inside of caves. (Jacobs et al., 2008; Mills, 1997)

Rhinolophus denti is one of the smallest species in the Rhinolophidae family, with an average weight of 6 grams. Their average total length is 70 millimeters with a forearm length between 41 and 43 millimeters. Their fur is long and soft. The color of their fur tends to be light brown or grey on the upper part of their body, with an off white or cream color at the base. The wings are brown with white edges. (Mills, 1997; Watson, 1998)

There is no available information on longevity in Dent's horseshoe bats. Other small Rhinolophus species can live up to 20 years old. (Wilson and Reeder, 2005)

Dent's horseshoe bats roost in colonies. Colonies may have only a few individuals or several hundred. Individuals cluster closely together, both by hanging suspended from the ceiling or clinging to the walls. They seem to prefer humid and cool caves. Dent's horseshoe bats have the ability to enter torpor; an energy saving state by cooling their body temperatures. Torpor allows them to conserve energy while inactive in their roost. Dent's horseshoe bats do not appear to migrate locally or seasonally. (Churchill, Draper, and Marais, 1997; Mills, 1997)

Home Range

There is no information on home ranges in Dent's horseshoe bats. (Mills, 1997)

Dent's horseshoe bats have a superb sense of hearing and good eyesight similar to other species in the family. The large fleshy pad around the nose of the animal helps to amplify the ultrasonic calls it emits for echolocation. Echolocation allows them to navigate in total darkness, as well as find and capture insect prey at night. Like other mammals, it is also possible that chemical cues and tactile cues play a role in social communication. (Mills, 1997; Wilson and Reeder, 2005)

Dent's horseshoe bats are nocturnal insectivores, feeding on a variety of small, soft-bodied insects. Insect populations are relatively scarce in the arid habitats these bats occupy and more research is needed to understand their foraging strategies. (Mills, 1997)

There are no specific reports of predation on Dent's horseshoe bats. In general, bats are preyed on by owls and other raptors in flight and by scansorial predators in their roosts. Like other bats, Dent's horseshoe bats use their cryptic coloration, nocturnal activity, and difficult to access roosts to escape much predation. (Wilson and Reeder, 2005)

Dent's horseshoe bats are important predators of insects in their native ecosystems.

There are no known adverse effects of Dent's horseshoe bats on humans.

Dent's horseshoe bats are important members of native ecosystems. Their predation on flying insects can impact agricultural pest populations, providing a benefit to farmers.

Rhinolophus denti is considered least concern on the IUCN red list. Roosts may be persecuted sometimes, but populations are considered large and widespread, although patchily distributed, currently. (Watson, 1998)

Rhinolophus swinnyi may be best recognized as a part of Rhinolophus denti. (Jacobs et al., 2008)