Greater Bulldog Bat

About the Greater Bulldog Bat

The greater bulldog bat or fisherman bat (Noctilio leporinus) is a species of fishing bat native to Latin America (Spanish: murciélago pescador; Portuguese: morcego-pescador). The bat uses echolocation to detect water ripples made by the fish upon which it preys, then uses the pouch between its legs to scoop the fish up and its sharp claws to catch and cling to it. It is not to be confused with the lesser bulldog bat, which, though belonging to the same genus, merely catches water insects, such as water striders and water beetles.

It emits echolocation sounds through the mouth like Myotis daubentoni, but the sounds are quite different, containing a long constant frequency part around 55 kHz, which is an unusually high frequency for a bat this large.

The greater bulldog bat is a large bat, often with a combined body and head length of 10.9 to 12.7 cm (4.3 to 5.0 in). It generally weighs from 50–90 grams (1.8–3.2 oz). Males tend to be larger than females, with the former averaging 67 grams (2.4 oz) and the latter averaging 56 grams (2.0 oz). They also differ in fur color. Males have bright orange fur on the back while females are dull gray. However, both sexes... Wikipedia →