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Description

Pouncer bats are flightless bats of the genus Molossidae, a robust group bats that were given this name because of their resemblance to shepherd Molossus dogs. Descendants of naked bats (also called bulldog bats) of the species Cheiromeles torquatus, they arrived to Nea shortly after the first bats were introduced, that would later evolve (and be genetically modified into) Nea’s most well recognised flightless bats .
Bearded pouncers, or more simply pouncer bats have adapted to their environment in a similar way other Neanean flightless bats did – the initial lack of predators meant that their already semi-terrestrial lifestyle would shift almost exclusively to a terrestrial one, and in this bat’s case, also arboreal. Bearded pouncers are still capable of rudimentary flight, with small wings almost half their original size, that are safely tucked away in leathery pouches under the armpits. Their primary means of locomotion are divided between gliding from tree to tree or crawling on all fours, in search for potential meals - or using their remaining flight ability to do what they do best, and were named after: pouncing. A bat looking for food will often perch on top of a tree trunk or rock, with their head upside down facing the floor in attack position, leaping onto unsuspecting passerbys, mainly large ground dwelling insects. They have also been seen leaping onto larger prey like small mammals and lizards, but their preference still goes to insects. They have callous, disk shapped pads on the underside of their first finger which presumably functions as a cushioning “paw” at the wrist when the bat is moving about over solid substrate on all fours.
Although they mainly hunt alone or in couples (especially during mating season), they live in groups of up to 30 individuals sometimes even more, that use hollow tree trunks, or in the lack of thereof, rocky crevices or abandoned burrows to nest and roost. Their “nakedness” does not represent a complete lack of fur, but instead their coat is comprised of very sparse, velvety and short fur, the only longer fur being present on its hind legs, throat and some more scattered on the snout, back of head and base of tail. On Earth, this reduction in fur lenght was thought to represent an aerodynamic adaptation to flight, but on Nea that is no longer needed, as they have lost that ability – thus, and confirming that hypothesis, their fur coats are now slightly longer. The curved bristles on the tip of their hind legs are probably used for grooming, and getting rid of skin and fur parasites - another theory also purposes that they might have a role in mating, but this hasn't been confirmed yet. The most striking feature of these bats however is their reddish “beard”, that has given this new neanean species its scientific name, rubarbatum. Originally a small tuft of bristle hairs that covered the gular pouch of these animals, on Nea it grew bigger and more pronounced. It’s thought that this helps bats in their pouncing habits, as the dense fur protects their neck from possible injury, as well as muffling their prey’s struggle, which may alert other potential prey to their presence. Another theory states that bigger beards grant males advantage during breeding. Probably both theories are correct, but nevertheless one thing is certain: this fur tuft conceals a set of glands in males, that exude a pungent smell, granting these bats yet another, rather unpleasant nickname - “stinkers”. Females also possess beard, albeit considerably shorter, another hint that there may be an underlying sexual dimorphism that reflects selection of males with the biggest fur tufts.

Pouncer bats are a relatively common occurence, and are spread throughout many of Nea’s tropical patches of forest, sharing their habitat with many species, including the Phoenix Pheasant , also known as the Clawed Hoatzin. Remarkably, they don’t seem to be bothered by human activity, and will often nest in human constructions. Some populations are actually actively kept and protected near settlements, in order to keep insects and other pests at bay – these specimens are also incredibly tame, and show little to no fear when a human approaches them. Plush toys of Bearded Pouncers are top sellers with tourists hailing from Earth, where this species was relatively unknown to the general public – their cuddly appearence, with facial features almost reminiscing of dogs, ensures that this bat has a place in every child’s heart.

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Yet another design for 's contest. Someone stop me!!!

Description

Pouncer bats are flightless bats of the genus Molossidae, a robust group bats that were given this name because of their resemblance to shepherd Molossus dogs. Descendants of naked bats (also called bulldog bats) of the species Cheiromeles torquatus, they arrived to Nea shortly after the first bats were introduced, that would later evolve (and be genetically modified into) Nea’s most well recognised flightless bats .
Bearded pouncers, or more simply pouncer bats have adapted to their environment in a similar way other Neanean flightless bats did – the initial lack of predators meant that their already semi-terrestrial lifestyle would shift almost exclusively to a terrestrial one, and in this bat’s case, also arboreal. Bearded pouncers are still capable of rudimentary flight, with small wings almost half their original size, that are safely tucked away in leathery pouches under the armpits. Their primary means of locomotion are divided between gliding from tree to tree or crawling on all fours, in search for potential meals - or using their remaining flight ability to do what they do best, and were named after: pouncing. A bat looking for food will often perch on top of a tree trunk or rock, with their head upside down facing the floor in attack position, leaping onto unsuspecting passerbys, mainly large ground dwelling insects. They have also been seen leaping onto larger prey like small mammals and lizards, but their preference still goes to insects. They have callous, disk shapped pads on the underside of their first finger which presumably functions as a cushioning “paw” at the wrist when the bat is moving about over solid substrate on all fours.
Although they mainly hunt alone or in couples (especially during mating season), they live in groups of up to 30 individuals sometimes even more, that use hollow tree trunks, or in the lack of thereof, rocky crevices or abandoned burrows to nest and roost. Their “nakedness” does not represent a complete lack of fur, but instead their coat is comprised of very sparse, velvety and short fur, the only longer fur being present on its hind legs, throat and some more scattered on the snout, back of head and base of tail. On Earth, this reduction in fur lenght was thought to represent an aerodynamic adaptation to flight, but on Nea that is no longer needed, as they have lost that ability – thus, and confirming that hypothesis, their fur coats are now slightly longer. The curved bristles on the tip of their hind legs are probably used for grooming, and getting rid of skin and fur parasites - another theory also purposes that they might have a role in mating, but this hasn't been confirmed yet. The most striking feature of these bats however is their reddish “beard”, that has given this new neanean species its scientific name, rubarbatum. Originally a small tuft of bristle hairs that covered the gular pouch of these animals, on Nea it grew bigger and more pronounced. It’s thought that this helps bats in their pouncing habits, as the dense fur protects their neck from possible injury, as well as muffling their prey’s struggle, which may alert other potential prey to their presence. Another theory states that bigger beards grant males advantage during breeding. Probably both theories are correct, but nevertheless one thing is certain: this fur tuft conceals a set of glands in males, that exude a pungent smell, granting these bats yet another, rather unpleasant nickname - “stinkers”. Females also possess beard, albeit considerably shorter, another hint that there may be an underlying sexual dimorphism that reflects selection of males with the biggest fur tufts.

Pouncer bats are a relatively common occurence, and are spread throughout many of Nea’s tropical patches of forest, sharing their habitat with many species, including the Phoenix Pheasant , also known as the Clawed Hoatzin. Remarkably, they don’t seem to be bothered by human activity, and will often nest in human constructions. Some populations are actually actively kept and protected near settlements, in order to keep insects and other pests at bay – these specimens are also incredibly tame, and show little to no fear when a human approaches them. Plush toys of Bearded Pouncers are top sellers with tourists hailing from Earth, where this species was relatively unknown to the general public – their cuddly appearence, with facial features almost reminiscing of dogs, ensures that this bat has a place in every child’s heart.

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Yet another design for 's contest. Someone stop me!!!