Head to head
Daubenton's Bat vs Greater Bulldog Bat
Daubenton's Bat
VS Greater Bulldog Bat
Daubenton's bat and the greater bulldog bat are both bats of open water that fly low over the surface at night, but one catches insects and the other catches fish.
| Daubenton's Bat | Greater Bulldog Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Myotis daubentonii | Noctilio leporinus |
| Range | Waterside woodland across much of Europe and northern Asia as far east as Japan | Wetland and coastal habitat from Mexico through Central America and much of South America |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes, and waterside woodland | Rivers, lagoons, and coastal waters |
| Diet | Insectivore, catching midges, mayflies, and other insects just above the water | Carnivore, eating mainly small fish, supplemented with insects |
| Hunting method | Flies low and level, scooping insects from the surface with its large feet and tail membrane | Detects ripples left by fish with echolocation, then rakes the water with large, sharp hind claws |
| Roost | Tree holes, bridges, caves, and tunnels, often near water | Hollow trees, rock crevices, or small caves close to water |
| Appearance | Not specifically documented | A comparatively large bat with a pointed, bulldog-like face, long legs, and notably long hind claws |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Daubenton's Bat vs Greater Bulldog Bat: common questions
Which bat eats fish?
The greater bulldog bat, which rakes the water with large, sharp hind claws to snag small fish, while Daubenton's bat eats insects.
Why is Daubenton's bat called the water bat?
It flies low and level just above lakes and rivers and scoops insects from the surface.
Where do Daubenton's bat and the greater bulldog bat live?
Daubenton's bat lives in waterside woodland across Europe and northern Asia, while the greater bulldog bat lives in wetland and coastal habitat from Mexico through much of South America.