Noctilio albiventris Desmarest, 1818

Scientific Name and Sexual Dimorphism

The lesser bulldog bat, scientifically named Noctilio albiventris Desmarest, 1818, is a sexually dimorphic species. Males are significantly larger than females, and have a more pronounced sagittal crest.

Color Variation

Coloration varies between individuals of the same sex, and between different populations.

Body Size and Weight

Adult individuals reach a total length of approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm), a forearm length of 2+1⁄2 inches (6.4 cm), and an average weight of about 1 ounce (30 grams).

Facial Morphology

This species has plump lips and a chin marked by well-developed cross ridges, which give the bat its characteristic "bulldog-like" appearance.

Prey Capture Adaptation

Lesser bulldog bats have large, claw-like feet that they use to capture prey.

Habitat and Roosting

The species prefers terrestrial habitats, and lives near water or damp locations, roosting in hollow trees or human domestic dwellings.

Confirmed Distribution

Confirmed distribution locations include Argentina, Belize, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.