Head to head
Greater Horseshoe Bat vs Greater Bulldog Bat
The greater horseshoe bat and greater bulldog bat both rely on highly specialised anatomy to hunt, but one channels sound through its nose while the other hunts with its feet.
| Greater Horseshoe Bat | Greater Bulldog Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rhinolophus ferrumequinum | Noctilio leporinus |
| Diet | Moths and other flying insects | Small fish, some insects |
| Key adaptation | Nose-leaf echolocation | Oversized clawed feet for gaffing fish |
| Roosting posture | Wrapped fully in its own wings | Typical folded-wing roosting |
| Range | Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia | Mexico through much of South America |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Increasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Forest, grassland | Wetlands, coastal |
Greater Horseshoe Bat vs Greater Bulldog Bat: common questions
What makes the greater horseshoe bat’s echolocation unusual?
This species emits its echolocation calls through an elaborate, horseshoe-shaped flap of skin on its nose rather than through its mouth, a specialised adaptation that helps focus its calls with considerable precision while hunting moths and other flying insects.
How does the greater bulldog bat catch fish?
This species detects fish near the surface using echolocation to pick up the tiny ripples they create, then rakes the water with unusually large, sharp claws on its hind feet to snag prey, one of only a small number of fishing strategies found anywhere among the world's bats.
Do the greater horseshoe bat and greater bulldog bat live in the same places?
No, the greater horseshoe bat is native to forest and grassland habitat across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, while the greater bulldog bat is found across wetland and coastal habitat from Mexico through much of South America, meaning these two specialised hunters never share the same range.