Noctilio fossil map
Where fossils of Noctilio have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 5 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 5 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 13.8 million years ago to the present (Serravallian to Holocene) |
| Periods | Neogene, Quaternary |
| Family | Noctilionidae |
| Named by | Linnaeus 1766 |
| Fossil records | 12 occurrences at 5 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Colombia |
| Rock formations | txn:66297, Solimoes, Madre de Dios, Villavieja |
About Noctilio
The bat family Noctilionidae, commonly known as bulldog bats or fishing bats, is represented by two extant species, the greater and the lesser bulldog bats, as well as at least one fossil species, Noctilio lacrimaelunaris, from the Miocene of Argentina. The naked bulldog bat (Cheiromeles torquatus) does not belong to this family, but to the family Molossidae, the free-tailed bats. They are found near water in the Neotropics, from Mexico to Argentina and also in the Caribbean islands. In these areas they can be found roosting in groups within hollow trees, caves, manmade homes, or other openings with enough space. While the two species exhibit different social and foraging behaviors both tend to return to a main roosting spot while also visiting other alternative roosting spots.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Bulldog bat (revision 1374418901), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q81039.
