Lesser bulldog bat

Lesser bulldog bat
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Noctilionidae
Genus:	Noctilio
Species:	N. albiventris
Binomial name
Noctilio albiventris Desmarest, 1818

The lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) is an insectivorous and occasionally carnivorous bat of the (Neotropics), ranging through Central America and northern South America.

These bats are reddish brown in color. They have a length of about three inches (7.5 cm), a forearm length of 2+¹⁄₂ inches (6.4 cm), and weight of about one ounce (30 grams). The bats usually live near water or damp locations, residing in hollow trees or domestic dwellings. They attempt to capture by echolocation insects flying near the surface of water. The bats also have the ability to capture insects that fall onto the water surfaces. Occasionally, the larger bats catch and consume small fish (the most closely related species, the greater bulldog bat, is known for its fishing ability).

They live about ten years and reach sexual maturity in one year.

See also

• Bulldog bat
• Microchiroptera

References

• Chiroptera Specialist Group (1996). Noctilio albiventris. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.

External links

• Lesser Bulldog Bat site
• Digimorph Lesser Bulldog Bat