Rhinolophus hipposideros (Bechstein, 1799)

Risk Level Europe: Near Threatened - NT (Temple & Terry, 2007).

Italy: Endangered - EN (Rondinini et al., 2013).

A total of 11 roosts used by Rhinolophus hipposideros were identified: 6 were underground cavities and 5 were man-made structures (churches, houses and bridges) up to an altitude of 1100 m. Two of these are used for breeding in Limone municipality where 10 females were counted in 2011, before birth period, and in Valdieri municipality where a total of 8- 11 females before birth period as well, in the period between 2004 and 2014. The presence of adults with flying youngsters in another location (but still within the study area) suggests the presence of other breeding sites as yet unknown. Temporary roosts used by adults and young were found in underground sites, buildings and in one case in a bridge along the Gesso river. In winter, this species was found infrequently, with some individuals in 4 underground cavities in the study area .