Chrea National Park is one of Algeria's smaller nature reserves, but is nevertheless home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its ancient Atlas pine forests are home to a population of Barbary macaques, which are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The park is also home to eight species of bats, which, although often overlooked due to their nocturnal habits, play an important role in the ecology of the region as they control insect populations.

To the Bats Mice species in Shrea National Park include the common pipistrelle bat, the greater horseshoe bat and the lesser horseshoe bat. As its name suggests, the common pipistrellus (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) has a wide distribution range and is considered to be of "least concern" from a conservation perspective. Their average wingspan is from 180 to 240 mm, length from 35 to 45 mm and weight from 3 to 8 grams. Their flight is fast and erratic, with each individual bat eating up to 3,000 insects (mosquitoes, lacewings and small moths) every night.

The great horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) gets its common name from its horseshoe-shaped the shape of the nasal leaf, which is part of the echolocation system. Contrary to popular belief, bats have good eyesight but still use echolocation to navigate and detect insect prey. Their ears are leaf-shaped and pointed, and their body is covered with soft brown fur. Greater horseshoe bats are thought to have the longest lifespan of any bat species, with some living up to 30 years. They have a wingspan of 350 to 400 mm, a body length of 57 to 71 mm and a weight of up to 30 grams. Their preferred foods are large moths, large beetles and caddis flies.

The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposidero) is a smaller version of the greater horseshoe bat. Despite the external similarity, the lesser horseshoe bat weighs from 5 to 9 grams, has a wingspan of 192 to 254 mm and a body length of 35-45 mm. They are very fast and agile in flight, snatching flies, moths and spiders in flight, as well as from branches and rocks on the ground.

Bats nest in trees, in caves and under overhanging rocks in the wild nature, going out at dusk to feed. Be sure to keep an eye out for these nocturnal flying mammals when visiting Shrea National Park, knowing that if not for them, there would be many more of these pesky insects.

Source: algeria.com

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