The Greater Bulldog Bat is a large species of fishing bat that is native to Latin America and can be found from Mexico to northern Argentina and most Caribbean islands.
They are found near streams, coastal habitats and river basins and roost in caves, rock crevices and hollow trees.
They feed at dusk flying out over bodies of water just above the surface using echolocation to locate fish by zig-zagging. When they detect a disturbance in the water the bat will descend to the surface and rake the water with their large talons.
They are also known to rake large areas without detecting surface water disturbance in a previously productive area.
The bats can warn each other of their whereabouts by dropping the frequency sweep of its echolocation call by an octave and thus avoid collision.
They are also good swimmers and can use their wings to paddle.
The Greater Bulldog Bat can grow up to 13cm or 5 inches in body length and have a wingspan of up to 1 meter or 3 feet.
For more information on these unique and interesting creatures please visit the links below:
animaldiversity.org/accounts/Noctilio_leporinus/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UJDrKY3EDw
By Brendon Crook