Human standards of appearance are often applied to the animal kingdom, leading to subjective labels. This curiosity can lead to interesting discoveries about biological form and function. We will examine a bat species noted for its unusual looks to understand the specialized reasons behind its features, revealing the purpose behind its strange appearance.
What Makes a Bat Look “Ugly”?
Bats have a wide array of facial structures that appear unconventional to the human eye. Some species possess elaborate, fleshy structures around their nostrils known as nose-leaves. These can range from small, spear-shaped flaps to large, complex arrangements of skin that dominate the face. These features are involved in shaping and focusing the ultrasonic calls used for echolocation.
Other bats have faces covered in numerous deep wrinkles and skin folds. These intricate patterns are species-specific and can play a role in sensory perception or feeding habits. Large or uniquely formed ears are also common, sometimes paired with a fleshy projection called a tragus that aids in directing sound. These varied features are products of evolution, tailored to the ecological niche each species occupies.
Meet a Remarkably Unusual Bat
One species cited for its unusual appearance is the wrinkle-faced bat (Centurio senex). Found in Central and South America, its scientific name translates to “100-year-old man,” a reference to its distinctive face. The bat has a short, broad skull and a largely hairless face, revealing skin folds and grooves around its mouth and nose. This wrinkled visage is more pronounced in males than in females.
Despite being in the leaf-nosed bat family, the wrinkle-faced bat lacks a prominent nose-leaf. Instead, its large eyes dominate the upper part of its face, while the lower part seems to collapse into a series of fleshy pleats. Males possess an additional feature: a unique mask of skin they can pull up to cover their faces. This combination of a bare, wrinkled face, large eyes, and a foldable skin mask makes it a visually peculiar bat.
The Evolutionary Advantage of “Odd” Looks
The features of the wrinkle-faced bat are directly linked to its diet and feeding strategy. As a frugivore, it feeds on fruit, and its facial structure is adapted for this purpose. The folds and wrinkles around its mouth are thought to help channel juices as it consumes soft, overripe fruit. The bat can also store fruit pulp in specialized pouches within its mouth.
The bat’s short, wide skull provides a powerful bite. This strong bite force allows it to eat hard or unripe fruits when its preferred soft foods are scarce. Studies have documented these bats using their strong jaws to consume tough seeds, a behavior known as seed predation. The bat’s face is a toolkit, enabling it to thrive on a wider variety of food sources than many of its relatives.