Halcyon horseshoe bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Halcyon horseshoe bat |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Rhinolophidae |
| Genus: | Rhinolophus |
| Species: |
R. alcyone
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhinolophus alcyone Temminck, 1852
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| Where the Halcyon Horseshoe Bat lives | |
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The halcyon horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus alcyone) is a type of bat that belongs to the Rhinolophidae family. You can find these bats in many countries across Africa. These include Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda. They might also live in Gabon and Sierra Leone.
These bats like to live in warm places. Their natural homes are dry or moist forests and moist savanna areas. They also live in caves and other underground spots.
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About the Halcyon Horseshoe Bat
This bat was first officially described as a new species in 1852. A Dutch scientist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck gave it its name. The first bat of this kind that scientists studied was found near the Boutry river in Ghana.
What Does It Look Like?
The halcyon horseshoe bat is a medium-sized bat for Africa. Its forearm, which is part of its wing, measures about 48 to 56 millimeters (about 1.9 to 2.2 inches) long. These bats usually weigh between 14 and 23 grams (about 0.5 to 0.8 ounces).
Their fur can be different colors. The fur on their back is often dark or medium brown. Their belly fur is usually lighter. Some bats have pale brown or even reddish-orange fur. Scientists have noticed that bats from eastern Africa look different from those in western Africa. These color differences might mean they are slightly different types of bats!
Life and Habits
Scientists are still learning about what the halcyon horseshoe bat eats. They also don't know much about how these bats have babies. However, four pregnant female bats were found in Ivory Coast in February.
When these bats rest during the day, they might be alone. Sometimes, they gather in small groups. Like many animals, they can have tiny parasites. These bats have been found with small fly parasites.
Where Do They Live?
The halcyon horseshoe bat lives in many parts of Central and West Africa. You can find them south of the Sahara Desert. The furthest south they have been seen is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
They make their homes in both forests and savannas. During the day, they need safe places to rest. They often roost in sheltered spots like caves, hollow logs, or old mines. Sometimes, they even rest inside huts!
 | Ernest Everett Just |
 | Mary Jackson |
 | Emmett Chappelle |
 | Marie Maynard Daly |
