The wrinkle-faced bat, known to be frugivorous despite being closely related to the vampire bat, has long been known for its abominable face. But it's the shape of the skull that has puzzled researchers.
Photo source: BBC News
It's recently been determined that the short, broad shape of the skull gives the wrinkle-faced bat a 20% stronger bite than bats of a similar size (Centurio senex weighs in at a mere 17 grams). Why such a powerful bite on a fruit-eating bat? All the better to eat their way through thicker fruit skins during lean times, my dear.
So, if you encounter one in the wild, feel free to scream and flail and run away, but know that the only danger this bat poses (unless you're a fruit) comes in the form of what is left in the seat of your pants after said encounter.
Thanks for the article, Luke.
Aug 24, 2009
The Benefits of a Short, Broad Skull
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8 comments:
bats are really cool and for the most part, harmless. Blame it on the media and popular culture for the demonization of bats.
Aw, bats are firmly in that "so ugly they're cute" category! Anyways, those bumps and wrinkles are like big ol' funnels for sound.
They look like gremlins. What happens if they get wet? I love them!!! That would be what we lovingly refer to as fugly!
WHOA! They are some homely little bats there! Normally bats are cute and feeble looking. But these look like a bulldog-bat!
These are pretty ugly little guys. Then again, I'm not the one dating them. :)
they look like little winged klingons...
why does this pic remind me of 'beavis and butthead'?
My understanding regarding the excessive wrinkles and lack of fur on the face is to allow the fruit juices to funnel toward the bat's mouth; pretty ingenious really.
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