Timing the hunt: Ephemeral resource strategies of bulldog bats in energy-demanding reproductive phases

Bats feeding on swarming insects face unique energetic challenges due to the ephemeral nature of their food. The lesser bulldog bat (Noctilio albiventris) in Panama typically spends less than an hour foraging in the evening, balancing flight costs and food intake. However, little is known about how reproductive females adjust their foraging behavior to meet the increased energy demands during the reprodutive period. Based on acoustic data collected over 319 nights across 19 months, we found that these bats significantly increased their feeding activity by adding foraging bouts in the morning (02:00–08:00) during peak lactation month from May to July. This selective morning foraging exemplifies the adaptive strategies of bats and highlights their remarkable behavioral flexibility in responding to heightened energetic demands.