Species MammalsGreater Bulldog Bat

Greater Bulldog Bat

Noctilio leporinus

RareMammal
Illustration of Greater Bulldog Bat (Noctilio leporinus)
Safety note: May carry rabies — do not approach or handle.

The Greater Bulldog Bat is one of the few fishing bats in the world, using echolocation to detect the ripples made by small fish at the water surface, then raking them from the water with enormous, gaff-like hind claws. It has a robust, bulldog-like face with large lips, large hind feet, and a distinctive orange or yellow color. It inhabits tropical coasts and lagoons from Mexico southward.

Habitat
Tropical coastal lagoons, estuaries, and river mouths
Diet
Fish, shrimp, and large aquatic insects
How common
Rare

Not certain it is a Greater Bulldog Bat? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Greater Bulldog Bat sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Greater Bulldog Bat? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Greater Bulldog Bat is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Greater Grison
Greater Grison
Galictis vittata
Greater Round-eared Bat
Greater Round-eared Bat
Tonatia bidens
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear
Ursus arctos
Groundhog
Groundhog
Marmota monax
Guatemalan Deer Mouse
Guatemalan Deer Mouse
Peromyscus guatemalensis
Gunnison's Prairie Dog
Gunnison's Prairie Dog
Cynomys gunnisoni
Hairy-legged Vampire Bat
Hairy-legged Vampire Bat
Diphylla ecaudata
Hairy-tailed Mole
Hairy-tailed Mole
Parascalops breweri