Lesser Bulldog Bat

The lesser bulldog bat is a sexually dimoprhic species with males significantly larger than females and with a more pronounced sagittal crest. Furthermore, coloration varies between individuals among the same sex, and between different populations. 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 plump lips and chin that has well-developed cross ridges give rise to the bats "bulldog-like" appearance. The lesser bulldog bat has large feet that are claw-like and can be used to capture prey.

The lesser bulldog bat inhabits lowlands with tropical dry forests, rainforests, and savannahs, residing in both rural and urban areas. N. albiventris roost in caves, rock crevices, buildings, and tree holes. They tend to choose roosts close to water bodies. They are found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. They are also known to roost with other bat species, namely the proboscis bat and some species of Molossus É. Most lesser bulldog bats rest on one main roost during the daytime. Individuals usually fly out 30 minutes after subway 1-4 times each night, totalling to about 2 hours. Most of this time is spent flying in groups rather than individually.

The lesser bulldog bat predominantly feed on insects, but they are also known to consume tree pollen, fruit and fish. Multiple hunting strategies have been observed. Individuals catch insects in flight above both terrestrial and aquatic habitats through aerial hawking. Some bats have also been seen to engage in pointed dips from high or low search flight to snatch prey using their enlarged hind feet or tail membranes. In areas with high prey density, bats may also rake the water surface with their hind claws in a behavior called gaffing. Lesser bulldog bats are known to forage in groups. Individuals that emerge from their roost together forage together, and they are able to distinguish between their roost mates and other lesser bulldog bats that may be foraging in the same area.