---
title: "Lesser Bulldog Bat"
description: "Noctilio albiventris — Mammals. The lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) is an insectivorous and occasionally carnivorous bat of the (Neotropics), ranging through Central America and northern South America."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/lesser-bulldog-bat
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# Lesser Bulldog Bat

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

- Scientific name: *Noctilio albiventris*
- Category: `mammals` (Mammals)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Lakes & rivers)
- iNaturalist observations: 127
- Wikidata: [Q1815581](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1815581)
- iNaturalist taxon: [41199](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/41199)

## Names

- en: Lesser Bulldog Bat
- de: Kleines Hasenmaul
- es: Murciélago bulldog
- fr: Petit Noctilion
- nl: Kleine hazenlipvleermuis
- pt: Morcego-buldogue

## Countries with the most observations

BR (18), CO (10), CR (6), NI (6), PA (6), BO (4), EC (4), GF (4), PE (4)

## Summary

The lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) is an insectivorous and occasionally carnivorous bat of the (Neotropics), ranging through Central America and northern South America. Some unique characteristics of the bat include large feet that are used to rake the surface of water to capture prey, and precise echolocation. Occasionally, the larger bats catch and consume small fish. Due to their close proximity to urban life, there are also some interactions with humans.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_bulldog_bat

## Photo

![Lesser Bulldog Bat](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/lesser-bulldog-bat/medium.jpg)

Photo: in Alcide Dessalines d'Orbigny · Public domain · commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Noctilio_albiventris_albiventris_1847.jpg

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/lesser-bulldog-bat?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).