Poland 2 Zlote 2010 Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)

Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) belongs to the Rhinolophidae family. The family currently comprises 77 species, 5 of which occur in Europe. The geographical scope of Lesser Horseshoe Bat covers the area from the Iberian Peninsula to Kashmir in Asia. The species is also present in North Africa. It can be found on uplands and in lower mountains. In Europe, Lesser Horseshoe Bat is present mainly in the region of the Mediterranean Sea. Its northmost places of occurrence are in West Ireland. In Poland, Lesser Horseshoe Bat can be found in the Polish Jura Chain, the Carpathians (without the Tatras) and the Sudetes. Single specimens are found in the region of Podkarpacie and Śląsk Opolski. The most numerous population of Lesser Horseshoe Bat is situated in the Beskids. On the European Union’s Red List, Lesser Horseshoe Bat is a species classified as VU, i.e. vulnerable. In the Polish Red Book of Animals it is classified as EN, i.e. endangered with extinction. Main threats to the bat include: anxiety in winter dens, decreasing number of reproductive dens (improper repairs of sacred buildings), fragmentation and disappearance of feeding grounds, mainly due to inconsiderate infrastructure development. An occasional PLN 2 coin from the most popular series issued by the National Bank of Poland, “Animals of the World”. Obverse: The image of an eagle established for the national emblem of the Republic of Poland. Under the eagle, the year of issue: 2010, below, an inscription: ZŁ 2 ZŁ. To the sides of the eagle’s paws, stylized images of the Polish national flag. At the top a semicircular inscription: RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA (THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND). Under the left foot of the eagle a symbol of the mint: M/W. Reverse: In the center, a stylized image of a Lesser Horseshoe Bat in flight. Above it, with clouds in the background, two flying bats. Below - the image of setting sun and hills. At the top, a semicircular inscription: PODKOWIE C MAŁY – Rhinolophus hipposideros. On the edge: the inscription NBP (National Bank of Poland) repeated eight times, every second one inverted by 180 degrees separated by stars.