The Family Hipposideridae, commonly known as Old World leaf-nosed bats, includes medium-sized insectivorous bats found across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. They are named for the distinctive horseshoe-shaped or leaf-shaped structures on their noses, which play a key role in echolocation, allowing precise navigation and prey detection in the dark. Hipposiderid bats are primarily nocturnal, roosting in caves, hollow trees, or abandoned buildings during the day. They feed mainly on insects and are important for controlling pest populations. Socially, many species form colonies, ranging from small groups to hundreds of individuals, and their reproductive and roosting behaviors are closely tied to environmental conditions.