(DK) The Animal Book - A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth

Size Up to1.5 m (5 ft) tall ❯Wingspan ❯ 1.7 m (5 ⁄ ft) 12Weight Up to 4 kg (8 ⁄ lb) ❯34Habitat Lagoons, salt lakes, ❯and shallow, muddy coasts. Distribution Central and ❯South America, Caribbean, Africa, southwest Europe, and Asia. Diet Shrimps, worms, microscopic algae, and small ❯pieces of water plants. Their pink colour is a by-product of the flamingos’ diet. Breeding ❯ Females lay a single egg in a nest that looks like a miniature volcano made out of mud. Lifespan 30 years in the wild, longer in captivity. ❯Predators Adults have few natural enemies, but chicks ❯may be eaten by hyenas, birds of prey, and marabou storks. Conservation status Not threatened. ❯

200Birds❯ Cranes and relativesCranes and relativesCranes and rails look very different, but they belong to the same, very varied group of birds. All of them have long legs, and many of them have long, pointed beaks. Cranes live in the open, but rails have slender bodies so they can hide among waterside plants. The clapper rail likes 1mangrove swamps, while the king rail from North and 2Central America lives in marshes. Although these birds are timid, many of them have noisy calls. The common moorhen makes a loud “kurruk”, while the 3water rail4grunts and squeals. The brolga is an Australian crane 5with a red band on its head. It spends its life on the move, travelling to places where it has recently rained. The common crane 6, from Europe, Asia, and Africa, is a long-distance migrant, travelling thousands of kilometres 6C o m m o n c r a n eB u f f - b a n d e d r a i l2K in g r a i lA f r ic a n f in f o o tS u n b it t e r n4W a t e rr a i l1C la p p e r r a i lB la c k r a i l3C om m o nm oor h e nRuffled wings can scare off rivalsRed band develops in adulthoodV ir g in ia r a il5B r o lg a

201Birds❯ Cranes and relativesSCALEeach year. Like other cranes, it is legendary for its courtship dances and its amazingly loud trumpeting call. The great bustard is a massive grassland bird from Europe and Asia. 7Males can weigh up to 21 kg (46 lb), making them some of the heaviest flying birds. Grey crowned cranes live in Africa. 8Unlike most cranes they can perch, and they spend the night roosting in trees. The beautiful red-crowned crane lives 9in Russia, China, and Japan. Standing up to 1.8 m (6 ft) tall, it is one of the largest cranes, and one of the rarest, with fewer than 3,000 left in the wild. The American coot is much 10more common, and can easily be seen in wetlands across North America. Coots are good swimmers, with paddle-shaped flaps on their toes. They can also be quarrelsome, often kicking and splashing when they fight. 7Great bustardL i t t le b u s t a r dP u r p le g a l l in u leR e d - le g g e d s e r ie m a8G rey cr o w n e d c r a n eB la c kc r a k eC o r n c r a k e9R e d - c r o w n e d c r a n e10Am e r ic a n c o o tOnly breeding males have patterned necksBlack “tail” is actually wing feathersLong toes to walk on floating plantsDistinctive feather crownLong beak picks food out of mudS u n g r e b eR e d - k n o b b e d c o o t

202Birds❯ Waders, gulls, and auksWaders, gulls, and auksWaders and their relatives live in marshes, oncoasts, and in the open sea. Most of them lay their eggs on the ground, and some travel record distances to breed. The American black oystercatcher 1 feeds on shrimps and worms, but is also an expert at smashing open shells of oysters and crabs. The Eurasian oystercatcher 2uses the same hunting technique to get at mussels and 3P ie d a v o c e tG r e y plo v e rS p u r -w in g e dplo v e rL e s s er yellow le g s2E u r a s ia n o y s t e r c a t c h e r4B la c k-nec k e d s t i lt5Dunlin6R e dk n o tN o r t h e r n lapw in g1 Am e r ic a n b la c ko y s t e r c a t c h e rM a s k e d la p w in gE u r a s i a n g o ld e n p lo v e rR e d - n e c k e d a v o c e tSCALEShortest legs among lapwings other prey. The pied avocet feeds by striding through 3shallow water and sweeping its upturned beak from side to side. The tip of its beak is amazingly sensitive, helping it catch insects, shrimps, and other small animals entirely by touch. Black-necked stilts wade through water on 4pencil-thin, bright-red legs. Relative to their bodies, their legs are gigantic, and they stick out behind when these birds

203Birds❯ Waders, gulls, and aukssit on their eggs. The dunlin and the 5red knot breed 6in the Arctic tundra and then migrate south in enormous flocks. The red knot travels as far as the tip of South America and New Zealand, an epic round trip of 30,000 km (18,600 miles). The wattled jacana 7 from South America has giant toes for walking over lily pads in shallow lakes. The American woodcock 8 has 360-degree vision, thanks to eyes near the top of its head. During their courtship displays, male woodcocks fly at just 8 kph (5 mph), a slow-flying record for a bird, equivalent to a gentle jog. The male ruff has bright courtship plumage, with a 9feathery collar around its neck. The long-billed curlew10is specially equipped to pull up worms, with a curved beak more than half its body length.Long, narrow beak digs into mud for foodCurved beak can probe under rocks Breeding males sport brown, black, or white neck ruffs B a n d e d s t i l tHudson ia n g o d w itP h e asant - t a i le d ja c a n a9R u f fR u d d y t u r n s t o n eC om m o nred s h a n kS p o o n - b i l le d s a n d p i p e rJ a c k s n ip eIb is b i l l8A m e r ic a n w o o d c o c kB la c k -ta ile dg o d w it7W a t tled ja canaE u r a s ia n s t o n e c u r l e wCream - c o lou r e d c o u r s e r10L o n g-bille d c u r le wLong toes to spread weight

204Birds❯ Waders, gulls, and auksM a r b le dm u r r e le tGulls and auks are good swimmers, withwaterproof feathers and webbed feet. Gulls often wander inland, but auks are true seabirds, using their wings to fly and to swim. The little auk is the smallest auk, growing 11up to 19 cm (7 in) long. It has a black-and-white body and a short, stubby beak. It nests among boulders in the high Arctic and feeds in huge flocks that look like swarms of bees. The razorbill breeds on rocky ledges, but the 12tufted puffin 13 and Atlantic puffin nest in clifftop 14burrows. Puffins use their multicoloured beaks to catch sand eels and other fish. Holding them crosswise, they can carry up to a dozen at a time. Terns and noddies are relatives of gulls with long tails and pointed wings. The brown noddy15breeds on tropical islands, while the Arctic tern 16 migrates Webbed feet for paddling in waterBeak flattened from side to sideGreat blac k - h e a ded gullB la c kg i u l lem o t13T u f t e d p u f f i n11L it t lea u kS o u t h p o la r s k u a12R a z o r b i l l14A t la n t i c p u f f in15B r o w nn o d d y17C a s p ia n t e r nG r e a t e r c r e s t e d t e r nS w a l l o w - t a i le d g u l lC r e s t e d a u k le tB l a c k s k im m e r16A r c t ic t e r nShort, sturdy legs

205Birds❯ Waders, gulls, and auksSCALEbetween the Arctic and the Southern Ocean. In its 30-year lifespan, it can travel up to 2.4 million km (1.5 million miles), six times the distance from Earth to the Moon. The Caspian tern 17 stays close to coasts, and often breeds near lakes. Like most terns, it is a fiercely protective parent, dive-bombing anyone who comes close to its nest. Auks catch all their food at sea, but gulls often scavenge along the shore and inland. Ross’s gull lives near the edge of the Arctic pack-ice 18and rarely strays further south. The great black-backed gull is the biggest gull at 78 cm (31 in) long, and has 19a fearsome appetite. It often preys on other seabirds, and it can swallow young rabbits in a single gulp. The common gull often follows tractors ploughing fields, 20swooping down to snap up worms. Powerful beak to stab at preyBreeding adults have white heads 20C o m m o n gu l lD o lp h in g u l l18 Ro s s ’sg u l lS o o t y g u l lL a u g h in g g u l lB la c k -leg g e d kit t iw a k e19G r e a tb la c k - b a c k edg u l lG r e yg u l lI n c a t e r nH e e rm a n n ’ s g u l l

ALBATROSSES Perhaps the ultimate sea birds, albatrosses spend most of their lives gliding over the oceans. They may fly hundreds of miles in a single day, and they are able to lock their enormous wings open so they can glide with little or no effort. Black-browed albatrosses, like the ones above, are the most common and widespread species, but even they are endangered by human activity.

Size 83–95 cm (33–37 in) tall ❯Wingspan Up to 2.4 m ❯(8 ft) Weight Up to 5 kg (11 lb) ❯Habitat They spend ❯most of the year at sea but return to land to breed. Distribution South Atlantic Ocean ❯Diet Crustaceans, ❯fish, squid, and also dead penguins. They pick food from the ocean surface or dive for it, and sometimes follow trawlers for discarded fish. Breeding Albatrosses mate for life. The ❯female lays one egg, which both parents care for. Lifespan❯Usually about 30 years, but may live as long as 70 years. Predators Tiger sharks may take adults. Rats or skuas may ❯take the eggs. Conservation status Endangered, as they ❯often die after becoming tangled in fishing lines.

208Birds❯ Perching birdsPerching birdsThere are thousands of kinds of perching birds,outnumbering all other birds put together. Most are small, with special feet that lock tight when they perch, keeping them in place. During the daytime most perching birds are constantly busy as they search for food, build their nests, and look after their young. The scarlet-chested sunbird1from Africa feeds on sugary nectar from flowers using a curved beak. The northern cardinal lives in Canada, 2the USA, and Mexico. In the winter the male’s brilliant red plumage stands out against the snow. Blue manakins3come from the rainforests of Brazil. Males attract females with elaborate dances but play no part in raising a family. The white-throated dipper from Europe and Asia is 4one of the few perching birds that can dive and swim. It SCALE5B lu e -w in g e d p it t a3B luem a n a k inG r e a t k i s k a d e eO r a n g e - b e l l ie d le a f b i r d2N o r t h e r n c a r d in a l4W h it e - t h r o a t e d d ip p e r1S c a r l e t - c h e s teds u n b ir dP in - t a i le dm a n a k inD u n n o c kW h i t e - b e a r d e d a n t s h r ik eC om m o n tody - f ly c a t c h e rVermilion fly c at hce rE a s t e r nwood-p e w e eBlack-ca p p e d v ir e oConical beak for cracking open seeds

209feeds underwater, collecting small animals in rivers and streams. The blue-winged pitta lives in Southeast Asia, 5where it eats insects on the forest floor. Rufous horneros6from South America make football-shaped nests out of mud. Both parents help in the construction, which includes a slit-shaped entrance and a curved inner corridor. Male Andean cock-of-the-rocks put all their energy into 7courtship, but the females raise the young. Bare-throated bellbirds from South America are some of the world’s 8loudest birds, with piercing metallic calls. Male golden bowerbirds attract partners by piling sticks around small 9trees. These bowers are up to 2 m (6 ⁄ ft) high, decorated 12with fruit and flowers. The red crossbill has a cross-tipped 10 beak for extracting seeds from pine cones.Males have blue skin around eyes, throat, and neckY e l loww a r b le rC h a ffinc hPen d ul in e t i tG r e e n c a t b ir dS c a r le t t a n a ger6R ufous horneroR u f o u s g n a t e a t e rM o u s t a c h e d a n t p i t t aV a r ie g a t e d f a ir y -w r e nG r e e n b r o a d b i l lMales turn bright red in breeding seasonWide beak almost covered by feathers9G o l d e n b o w e r b i r d10Red crossbill7A n d e a n c o c k - o f - t h e-r o c kAm e r ic a nreds t a r t8B a r e - t h roate d b e l lb i r d

210Birds❯ Perching birdsV a r ie d t it13Bla c k - c a p p e d c h ic k a d e eS c a r le th o n e y e a t e rPerching birds need lots of high-energy food because they are very active. African paradise flycatchers catch insects on the wing, while 11eastern paradise whydahs collect seeds and insects on the 12ground. During the breeding season male whydahs grow spectacular tail feathers that can be three times their body length. The black-capped chickadee from North 13America often visits bird feeders in the winter months. Like other chickadees it is a natural acrobat, hanging upside down from twigs as it searches for insects and spiders. The multicoloured Gouldian finch is a seed-eater from 14northern Australia. It is rare in the wild but is sometimes kept as a cage bird. The Eurasian golden oriole feeds 15mainly on fruit. Males have striking plumage but they are SCALES potte d p a r d a lo t eS p o tte d to w h e e11A f r i c a n p a r a d i s e fly c a t c h e rL a r k b u n t in gC r e s t e d d r o n g oL a p l a n d l o n g s p u r15E u r a s i a n g o ld e n o r io leR e d - b a c k e d s h r i k eLong beak for feeding at flowersYellow plumes along sidesChippin g s p a r r o w12E a s t e r n p a r a d is ew h y d a h16L e s s e r b i r d - o f - p a r a d ise14G o u ld ia n f in c hCommo nwaxb i l l

211Birds❯ Perching birds20R e d - b i l le dblu em a g p iehard to see because they feed in treetops. The lesser bird-of-paradise lives in the forests of New Guinea. Males 16are much more colourful than females, and they show off their finery in remarkable courtship displays. The yellow-headed blackbird has a call that sounds like a creaky, 17rusty gate. It breeds in North America and forms enormous flocks in winter that often feed in fields. The eastern meadowlark is another North American bird, with a loud 18whistling call. It feeds on the ground, probing for insects with its sharply pointed beak. Brown-headed cowbirds lay 19their eggs in the nests of other birds. Asian red-billed blue magpies are nest raiders, stealing and eating other birds’ 20eggs and chicks. They belong to the crow family, which contains the world’s biggest perching birds.18E a s t e r nm e a d o w lar kG r e e n ja yC r im s o n - b r e a s t e d g o n o l e k17Y e l lo w - h e a ded blac k b ir dB a lt im o r e oriole19B r o w n - h e a d e d c o w b i r dB r o w n - t h r o a t e d w a t t le - e y eB u f f - rumpe d t h o r n b i l lStrong perching feetEast e rn ye l lo w r o b inC o m m o n io r aM a s k e dw o o d s w a llo w

212Birds❯ Perching birdsApostlebirdPerching birds include some long-distance travellers as well as some that stay put throughout the year. The European robin is one of the stay-at-homes. It 21often lives in gardens where it feeds on insects and worms. The barn swallow catches insects in midair. It breeds in 22North America, Europe, and Asia but flies south when autumn arrives, a round trip of up to 20,000 km (12,400 miles). Winter wrens live across the Northern Hemisphere. 23In cold weather they often roost together, and more than 60 winter wrens have been found in a single nest box. The Bohemian waxwing comes from the forests of North 24America, Europe, and northern Asia but sometimes migrates southwards in winter if insects and berries get hard to find. The long-tailed tit forms busy winter flocks that flutter 2522B a r n swallo wE u r a sian n u t h a t c h24B o h em ian w a x w in gC o llare d s a n dm a r t in25Long- t a iled tit23W in t e rw r e nY e l l o w w a g t a i lM i s t l e t o e b i r dS i lv e r -e a r e dm e siaC o m m o n s t o nech a tB lu e - a n d - w h itef l y c a t c h e r21E u r o p e a n r o b inS u b a lp in ew a r b le rS p len did g lo s s y s t a r lin gAdults have orange-red breasts

213Birds❯ Perching birdsthrough European woodlands in a single file. The thrush family is famous for its tuneful singers. They include the Eurasian blackbird , 26song thrush , and the North 27American western bluebird . Like most perching birds, 28the male western bluebird sings to attract females and also to warn other males to keep away. The northern mockingbird sings for hours at a time. It copies the 29songs of other birds, and even the ringtones of mobile phones. The house sparrow has followed humans 30all over the Earth and is now the world’s most widespread bird. It often nests under roofs and in holes in walls. House sparrows are a common sight inside supermarkets and warehouses, eating spilled food. The Eurasian skylark31feeds on the ground but sings high up in the air.SCALEWhite outer tail feathers26E u r a s i a n b l a c k b i r d27S o n g t h r ushA s ia n f a i r y - b lu e b i r d28W e s t e r nb luebirdB r o a d - r in ged white eye29N o r t h e r n m o c k i n g b i r dW r e n - t i t31E u r a s ia n s k y la r k30H o u s e s p a r r o wR e d -w h is k e r e d b u lb u lC h e s t n u tw e a v e rV inous-thr o a t e dp a r r o t b i l lB lu e - g r e yg n a t c a t cherE u r a s i a n t r eecree p erShort, broad wings

RED-BACKED SHRIKE This gruesome display is the larder of the red-backed shrike. A small but efficient hunter, this shrike is sometimes called the butcher bird because of its habit of sticking its prey on thorns. This dries out the bodies, so that they decay slowly and the bird can save them to eat later. The shrike eats larger animals such as lizards by pulling them off the thorns bit by bit.

Size Up to 18 cm (7 in) long ❯Wingspan 26 cm (10 in) ❯Weight 30 g (1 oz) ❯Habitat Heathlands and commons ❯with thorny bushes in Europe, and dry scrublands in Africa. Distribution Continental Europe, western and central Asia. ❯Winters in central-southern Africa. Diet Bees, beetles, and ❯other large insects. Also small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It may chase and catch insects in flight or swoop at prey on the ground. Breeding From late May to early July. Females ❯lay up to six eggs. Lifespan Up to eight years. ❯Predators ❯ None known. Conservation status Not threatened. ❯However, the bird has almost disappeared from the UK due to habitat loss and possibly pesticide use.

MammalsAll mammals feed their young with milk produced in special glands in the mother’s skin. They are warm-blooded, generating heat inside their bodies, and often have fur to protect them from the cold. Most mammals have large brains relative to their body size and are capable of learning, remembering, and forming social relationships.Fur Warm-blooded creatures ❯such as mammals need to insulate themselves from outside temperatures. Fur traps air next to their skin, helping them to stay warm.Ears Mammals have tiny bones inside their ❯ear canals. Sound waves make these bones vibrate, passing signals to the brain. This system gives mammals exceptionally good hearing.T ig e r

FeaturesHead Mammals generally have larger ❯heads and brains compared to their body size than other animals. They include the most intelligent creatures on the planet.Teeth Mammals have a very varied ❯diet. Some eat only plants, others eat meat, and many eat both. This tiger’s long, sharp fangs are perfect for killing and eating other animals.AnimalsMammals• Feed their young on milk• Mostly have hair or fur• Are warm-blooded• Almost all give birth to live young• Include human beings

218Mammals❯ Mammals with pouchesMammals with pouchesInstead of growing inside their mothers these, animals, known as marsupials, develop inside a pouch. They are born very early and find the pouch by crawling through their mother’s fur. Some baby marsupials have their mother’s pouch to themselves, but young Virginia opossums1share it with up to 12 siblings, and have to hang on tight to survive. They live in the USA, Mexico, and Central America, often straying into urban areas. Virginia opossums are good climbers and feed at night, sometimes raiding dustbins for leftover food. Marsupials also live in South America, but most of them come from Australia. The parma wallaby and 2red-necked wallaby have powerful back legs for jumping, 3but the honey possum has tiny paws and a slender 4wrap-around tail. Weighing just 14 g ( ⁄ oz), it is one of the 125S u g a rg l id e r4H o n e yp o s s u m1V i r g i n i a o p o s s u m2P a r m a w a l la b yL o n g - n o s e d p o t o r o oTail used to carry nesting materialEars swivel to pinpoint soundsBushy, white-tipped tailLong, stiff whiskers are touch-sensitive Tail acts as a prop3R e d - n e c k e dw a l la b yB r u s h - t a i le d b e t t o n gS t r iped possum

219Mammals❯ Mammals with pouchesSCALEworld’s smallest marsupials, and feeds on sugary nectar from flowers. The sugar glider eats insects, fruit, and sap. It 5can glide up to 50 m (164 ft) between trees, using the stretchy skin between its legs as a parachute. The red kangaroo6is the largest and fastest marsupial, with a top speed of 50 kph (30 mph). Young kangaroos, or joeys, stay in their pouch for up to six months before exploring the world outside. Doria’s tree kangaroos from New Guinea spend their lives off 7the ground. The heaviest tree-climbing marsupials, they feed on leaves, flowers, and fruit. Common ringtails8also eat leaves, but the grey four-eyed opossum and 9bare-tailed woolly opossum have a more varied diet, 10including earthworms, insects, and birds’ eggs. Both live in the Americas and feed mainly at night.8C o m m o n r i n g t a i lTail used for balance when climbingEyes placed on sides of head for wider viewPouch tightens while hoppingBear-like body with short legsM u s k yr a t - k a n g a r o o10B a r e - t a i l e d w 0 o l l y o p o s s u m9 Grey fo u r - e y e d o p o s s um7D o r i a ’s t r e e kangaroo6R e d k a n g a r o o

220SCALEAustralia’s marsupials come in many differentshapes and sizes. Some live in trees, but they also include burrowers that live and feed on the ground. The southern hairy-nosed wombat digs a network of tunnels, coming 11out after dark to feed on grass. The burrows are handed on from one generation to the next and can be more than 50 years old. Common wombats are bigger and more powerful. 12Like other wombats, they have a backward-opening pouch. This stops earth from getting in when they are digging and protects their young from roots and twigs. The numbat13lives in forests and feeds on termites. It can eat 20,000 of these insects a day, lapping them up with its long, sticky tongue. The greater bilby is one of Australia’s strangest-looking 14marsupials with rabbit-like ears, a pointed snout, and long, 11S o u t h e r nh a ir y -n o s e dw om b a t13N um b a t14G r e a t e rb i lb ySingle young carried in pouchDistinctive large earsPowerful forefeet rip open termite nests12C om m o nw om bat

221Mammals❯ Mammals with pouchessilky fur. It lives in dry places, and digs burrows that spiral downwards like a corkscrew, making it harder for predators to get inside. The Tasmanian devil is the world’s biggest 15meat-eating marsupial with a thick-set body, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth. It is mainly a scavenger, swallowing the skin and even bones of dead animals. Far more appealing and much better known, the koala lives in gum trees and feeds on 16their leaves. It eats for about six hours a day and spends the rest of its time asleep. The western quoll is active at 17night and hunts like a cat, while the mountain brushtail possum lives in thick forests and sleeps in hollow trees. 18The common spotted cuscus is another tree-dweller, 19with a tail adapted for grasping branches. The female carries her young on her back after they have left her pouch.18M o u n t a in b r u s h t a i lp o s s u m16K o a laStrong, curved claws19C om m o n s p o t t e d c u s c u s15T a s m a n i a n d e vil17W e s t e r n quollE a s t e r n b arre d b a n d ic o o tS o u t h e r nb r o w n b a n d ic o o tFingers and toes clamp around branchesProminent eyes for night-time huntingMale’s coat is spotted

222Mammals❯ Armadillos, sloths, and anteatersArmadillos, sloths,and anteatersArmadillos are the only mammals to have a hard, protective shell. They have flexible bands to let their bodies bend and some kinds, including the three-banded armadillo , can roll themselves up into a ball. The 1pichi has another way of keeping out of trouble. It 2wedges itself in its burrow, making it hard for predators to drag it out. Most armadillos live in Central and South America but the nine-banded armadillo lives as far 3north as the USA. Its family life is very unusual because it always has identical quadruplets each time it breeds. Armadillos feed mainly on ants and termites, although they do eat other animals such as grubs and worms. The giant anteater 4 is one of the biggest insect-eating mammals, swallowing up to 30,000 ants a day. It rips open anthills or Long, toothless snoutProtective plates do not cover the tailN o r t h ernn a k e d - t a i le da rm a d i l loL a r g e rhair ya rm a d i l lo3N in e - b a n d e d a rm a d i l lo1T h r e e - b a n d e d a r m a d i l lo4G ia n ta n t e a t e rS ix -b a n d e d a rm a d i l lo2P ic h iSCALEG ia n t a rm a d i l loUnderside covered in dense hairs

223termite mounds with its claws and licks up its food with its sticky 60 cm (2 ft) long tongue. Sloths are distant relatives of anteaters, but they hang from branches, and feed on leaves. The southern two-toed sloth never moves in 5a hurry, and the brown-throated sloth is one of the 6slowest mammals in the world. Its top speed in trees is about 0.3 kph ( ⁄ mph) and it eats, sleeps, and even gives 15birth upside down. The silky anteater 7 from Central and tropical South America can climb just as well as a sloth. Large, curved front claws and a prehensile tail help it to live in trees, where it nests in holes. Pangolins are unmistakable animals with their covering of overlapping scales. The African ground pangolin 8 and Indian pangolin are so well protected 9that they can even keep lions and tigers at bay.M a n e d s lo t hCo l la r e d a nteater7S ilk ya n t e a t e rL o n g - t a i l e d p a n g o l i n9I n dia n p a n g o l inTough armour of overlapping scalesPrehensile tail used to grip branches5S o u t hern t w o - t o e d s lo t hN o r t h e r n t am a n d u a8 Gr o u n d p a n g o l in6Bro w n - t h r o a t e d s lo t h

224Mammals❯ Hedgehogs and molesHedgehogs and molesWhen the sun sets, hedgehogs set off to find food. Armed with up to 5,000 sharp spines, they rummage through the undergrowth, rolling up into a spiky ball if they are threatened with attack. They eat small animals, fruit, and carrion. The desert hedgehog from Africa and the 1Middle East usually prefers insects and their larvae but can also tackle scorpions and venomous snakes. The North African hedgehog gives birth to about six babies, or 2“hoglets”, each time it breeds. At first their spines are soft but they harden within a day. The European hedgehog3lives in lots of different habitats including farms and gardens. Despite its dumpy shape, it is a great climber, scrambling up fences and walls and dropping unharmed onto the other side. The pygmy shrew has a vicious bite. This tiny mammal 44P y gm ys h r e wLong ears help in keeping cool 5N o r t hAm e r ic a n le a s ts h r e wE u r a s i a n w a t e r s h r e wSCALE3E u r o p e a nh e d g e h o g2N o r t h A f r i c a n h e d g e h o g1D e s e r th e d g e h o gLong, furry tailL o n g - e a r e d h e d g e h o gS o u t h e r nA f r ic a nh e d g e h o g

225is just 5 cm (2 in) long but can attack earthworms many times its size. The North American least shrew is almost as 5small and has venomous saliva that helps it to overpower its prey. The Hispaniolan solenodon 6 looks like a giant shrew. It is only found on Hispaniola, an island in the Caribbean. The moonrat from Southeast Asia is related to hedgehogs 7and eats fruit as well as animal prey. The European mole8lives underground and digs tunnels with its spade-like front paws. It feeds on earthworms, storing them in special “larders” and biting off their heads to stop them from getting away. The star-nosed mole from North America looks 9for food with 22 pink tentacles on its nose. A good swimmer, it is amazingly quick on the draw, taking just a quarter of a second to sense and grab its food.N o r t h e r n s h o r t - t a i le d s h r e wSm a ll Japanesem oleB ic o lo u r e dw h it e - t o o t h e d s h r e wA lp in e s h r e wR e d d is h - g r e ym u s k s h r e wC om m o n s h r e w9S t a r - n o s e dm o le8E u r o p e a nm o leGrea t e rw h it e - t o o t h e d s h r e w7M o o n r a t6H is p a n io la n s o le n o d o nSensitive tentacles to find foodTiny eyesP y r e n e a n de s m a nFront legs have powerful claws for burrowing

AFRICAN ELEPHANTS The largest land animals, African elephants are equipped with a long trunk, which they use not only for breathing, smelling, and trumpeting, but also to grip and move objects and to suck up water. Their huge ears allow heat to escape, keeping them cool. Elephants are known for their intelligence, and they form strong family relationships.

Size Males up to 4 m (13 ft) tall; females up to 2.6 m ❯ (8 ⁄ ft) tall 12Weight Males up to 6 tonnes and females ❯up to 3.2 tonnes Habitat Savanna ❯Distribution❯Sub-Saharan Africa Diet Leaves and bark from trees, ❯and grass. They can eat up to 160 kg (350 lb) of food a day. Breeding Females (cows) give birth to one baby every two ❯to four years. Elephant herds consist mainly of females, and other members may help the mother to care for the baby. Lifespan Around 60 years in the wild. ❯Predators Adults ❯have no predators. Calves may be killed by lions, leopards, hyenas, or crocodiles. Conservation status Vulnerable as ❯they are hunted for their ivory tusks.

228Mammals❯ Rabbits, hares, and pikasRabbits, hares, and pikasRabbits and hares have many predators but their keen senses and long legs give them a head start in the race for safety. At the first sign of danger, most rabbits sprint into their burrows. Hares stay above ground, bounding away at up to 80 kph (50 mph). Rabbits and hares have big ears and large front teeth, and they feed entirely on plants. There are more than 50 breeds of rabbit, including the lop-eared rabbit , whose dangly ears can measure 70 cm (27 in) long. 1The Angora rabbit is valued for its long, soft hair, which 2is spun into yarn. These two breeds, and many others, are descendants of the European rabbit , which has been 3kept in captivity for hundreds of years. In the wild, European rabbits live in big burrow systems called warrens. They breed amazingly quickly, raising up to 40 babies, or “kits”, each year. S w am p r a b b it1L o p - e a r e d r a b b i t6A r c t ich a r eD w a r fr a b b it3E u r o p e a n r a b b it2A n g o r a r a b b i t5E u r o p e a n h a r eSoft fur can be used to make woolSCALE4E a s t e r nc o t t o n t a i l

229Mammals❯ Rabbits, hares, and pikasThe American eastern cottontail looks very similar 4to the European rabbit but breeds above ground. Hares are usually bigger than rabbits and live on their own. The European hare stays brown all year round, but many 5other kinds, including the Arctic hare and 6mountain hare , turn white in winter for camouflage against the 7snow. Pikas are relatives of rabbits and hares, but are much smaller with shorter ears. The American pika lives in 8rocky burrows high up in mountains. To survive the winter, it collects plants and dries them like tiny piles of hay, to eat when other food is scarce. The antelope jackrabbit has 9the biggest ears of all wild hares. The snowshoe hare’s10ears and paws are thickly furred, keeping it warm in the bitterly cold winters of Canada and Alaska.C a p eh a r eW h i t e - t a i le d ja c k r a b b it10S n o w s h o eh a r e8A m e r ic a np ik aM a r s h r a b b it7M o u n t a in h a r eB la c k - t a i le d ja c krab b itCoat turns white in winterLarge ears used for hearing and keeping cool 9 Antelope ja c k r a b b i tLarge eyes for feeding at nightWide-set eyes provide all-round visionShort legs and no tail

230Mammals❯ RodentsRodentsAdded together rodents easily outnumber all other mammals on Earth. They live almost everywhere on dry land and in fresh water too. Most rodents feed on plants. Their front teeth grow non-stop, enabling them to gnaw through their food and anything in their way. The grey squirrel1is an expert climber with nimble front paws. Originally from North America, it has pushed out the Eurasian red squirrel in many parts of the British Isles. The red squirrel 2uses its long tail to balance itself while jumping from one tree to another. The North American southern flying squirrel 3glides between trees on folds of stretchy skin. It can travel almost 30 m (100 ft) in a single flight, landing right on target even in the dark. The marmot lives in mountain burrows 4and hibernates for up to nine months every year. The world’s 1G r e ys q u i r r e lG r i z z l e d g i a n t s q u i r r e lC o m m o n v o le2E u ra s i a n r e d s q u i r r e l3S o u t h e r n f ly in g s q u ir r e l5C a p y b a r aB l a c k - t a i le d p r a ir ied o gC a p e g r o u n d s q u i r r e l4M a rm o tNimble front paws can grip foodSkin “wings” used for glidingLong tail used for balanceE a s t e r n c h ipm u n k

231Mammals ❯ Rodentslargest rodent is the capybara from the swamps of 5South America. It grows to the size of a small pig. To escape its enemies, it dives into water and can hold its breath for up to five minutes. The beaver is a good swimmer and 6is renowned for building dams. The biggest beaver dam on record, in Canada, is 850 m ( ⁄ mile) long and was first 12spotted by satellite. Many other rodents, such as the desert pocket mouse , get all their water from their food. 7Azara’s agouti from South America has small families with just two 8young, but Norway lemmings sometimes produce more 9than 50 babies a year. When their burrows get overcrowded, young lemmings pour across the Arctic tundra in search of food. The golden hamster from the Middle East is very 10rare in the wild but millions are kept as pets.R o b o r o v s k i ’sd e s e r th a m s t e r10G o ld e nh am s t e rM u s k r a tA f r i c a n d o r m o u s eL e s s e r E g y p t i a n j e r b o a9N o rw a y lem m in gSCALEM e a d o w ju m p in g m o u s eSouth Afr ican s p r i n g h a r e8A z a r a ’ s a g o u t iM e r r ia m ’ sk a n g a r o o r a tLong legs for high-speed runningPaddle-shaped tail for swimming and signalling to other beaversKangaroo-like hind legs6B e a v e r7D e s e r tp o c k e tm o u s e

232Mammals❯ RodentsB o t t a ’s p o c k etg o p h e rRodents include some rare animals as well as common ones found all over the world. The domestic guinea pig from South America was once raised for food 11but is now a popular pet, with many different breeds. The naked mole-rat from east Africa lives in big families and 12spends its whole life tunnelling underground. It is one of the world’s weirdest-looking mammals with big front teeth, bare wrinkly skin, and tiny eyes. Chinchillas have a luxurious 13fur coat that protects them from the cold. Found in the South American Andes, these rodents are hunted for their fur, and are now endangered in the wild. The mara looks a lot like 14a hare. It lives in South America’s grasslands and is one of the fastest rodents, bounding along at 45 kph (28 mph). The brown rat is a worldwide pest. Adaptable and intelligent, 1511D om e s t icg u in e ap igH a r v e s tm o u s eP a l l idg e r b i l12N a k e dm o le - rat14M a r a16A lb in oh o u s em o u s e15B r o w n r a tW o o dm o u s eThick-set body without tailShort, thick spines13Chin c h i l laB r a z i l i a n p o r c u p in eLong teeth used for digging tunnels

233Mammals ❯ Rodentsit survives in all kinds of habitats, from remote islands to urban drains. An expert climber and a good swimmer, it eats almost anything, including seeds, eggs, leather, and even soap. The house mouse is another rodent that lives alongside 16people, although it keeps out of sight. It is found on every continent except Antarctica and has even been discovered aboard planes and deep down in mines. The mountain viscacha is a close relative of the chinchilla and lives 17high up in mountains. The South American coypu feeds 18in lakes and swamps. African dassie rats live in rocky 19hillsides. They have flat skulls and bendy ribs for squeezing into cracks. The African crested porcupine is the world’s 20best-armed rodent. When threatened, it charges backwards into its enemy, stabbing it with its sharp, hollow quills.SCALE17M o u n t a in v i s c a c h aDense fur for protection against coldBare feet give good grip 19D a s s ie r a tD e g uQuills detach and stick in attacker's skin18C o y p u20 Cr e s t e d p o r c u p in e

234Mammals❯ Bushbabies, lemurs, and tarsiersBushbabies, lemurs, and tarsiersBushbabies and their relatives belong to a groupof mammals called primates, which includes monkeys, apes, and also humans. Most of these animals live in trees and all of them have forward-facing eyes, allowing them to judge distances in three dimensions. Bushbabies come from Africa, but lemurs are found in Madagascar and nowhere else in the world. There are many different kinds of lemurs and each has its own way of living. The white-footed sportive lemur 1 feeds mainly on leaves, but Verreaux’s sifaka 2also eats fruit, flowers, and bark. Coquerel’s sifaka is 3an amazingly acrobatic climber, even with a baby on board. The Senegal bushbaby 4 and moholi bushbaby5come out after dark. They can leap 25 times their own body length as they spring from branch to branch. The B r o w n g r e a t e rg a la g o3C o q u e r e l ’ s s i f a k aYoung rides on its mother’s backM o n g o o s e lem u rLong tail used for balancingStrong back legs good for jumping2V e r r e a u x ’ ssi f a k a4 Senegal bu s h b a b y6R in g - t a i le d lemur1W h i t e - f o o t e d s p o r t iv e lem u r5M o h o l ib us h b ab y

ring-tailed lemur 6 climbs well, but spends much of its time on the ground. It is very sociable and always keeps together in groups. The black-and-white ruffed lemur7is the largest lemur at 60 cm (24 in) long, but only weighs about 4 kg (9 lb), about the same as a pet cat. Lorises are plant- and insect-eaters from tropical forests in Asia. The slow loris creeps along branches once the sun has gone 8down. The Philippine tarsier is a pocket-sized primate 9with enormous staring eyes. Like other tarsiers, it leaps on to insects in the dark and crunches them up with its sharp teeth. The nocturnal aye-aye from Madagascar is the world’s 10strangest primate, with skinny hands and scraggy fur. It feeds on fruit, eggs, and insects, and uses its extra-long middle finger to tweak out insect larvae from wood.SCALE10A ye- a y e9P h i l ip p in e t a r s i e rS p e c t r a lt a r s ie rHead can turn through 180 degrees to keep watch behindTail used to store fat in wet seasonSlender middle finger for picking grubs out of wood8S lo w lo r i sR e d - b e l l ie d le m u r7 Black-an d - w h i t e r u f f e d l emu rR e d s le n d e r lo r i sG r e a t er dwa r f le m u rG r e ym o u s e lem u rP y gm y s lo w lo r i sP o t t oForward-facing eyes give good 3D visionH o r s f i e l d ’ s t a r s i e r

236Mammals❯ Gibbons, apes, and humans2S ia m a n gGibbons, apes, and humansSCALEGibbons and apes include our closest relatives in the living world. Not only are they similar to people in appearance, but they are also highly intelligent animals. The hoolock gibbon lives in South and Southeast Asia, which 1is where all wild gibbons are found. Like other gibbons, it uses its hands like hooks to swing from branch to branch, speeding through the forest almost as fast as a man can run. The siamang is the biggest gibbon. It eats leaves and fruit, 2and starts the day with a loud dawn chorus that can be heard from far away. The skin on its throat is elastic and inflates to the size of a grapefruit, amplifying its amazingly loud calls. The lar gibbon is black or brown, but 3northern white-cheeked gibbons start life with creamy fur and turn darker 4as they grow up. Gorillas come from Africa, and spend most 4N o r t h e r n w h i t e - c h e e k e dg ib b o n3L a rg ib b o nB l a c k - c r e s t e dg ib b o nS i l v e r y g ib b o n5W e s t e r n g o r i l laM ü l le r ’ sB o r n e a n g ib b o n1H o o lo c kg ib b o nB u f f - c h e e k e d g ib b o nCream-coloured young turns darker by two years of ageArms much longer than legsA g i l e g i b b o n

237Mammals❯ Gibbons, apes, and humansof their lives on the ground. The western gorilla can 5weigh three times as much as an adult man, but the eastern gorilla is even bigger, weighing a massive 220 kg (485 lb). 6Despite their size, gorillas are peaceful plant-eaters and rarely attack people unless their young are threatened. Also from Africa, the chimpanzee is the primate most similar to us. 7It lives in large groups and eats all kinds of food, from termites to monkeys, which it ambushes in trees. The Sumatran orang-utan and 8Bornean orang-utan are two 9fruit-eaters from Southeast Asia. Like chimps, they are highly intelligent and are good at problem-solving and making simple tools. Humans are the only living primates that 10walk upright on two legs. Today there are more than 7 billion of us, spread over every land habitat on Earth. 6E a s t e r n g o r i l la9B o r n e a no r a n g - u t a nH u m a n fem a le7C h im p a n z e e10H um a nm a le8S u m a t r a n o r a n g - u t a nB o n o b oMature males have “saddle” of silvery furCan grip with hands and feet

ORANG-UTANS These apes are some of humans’ closest relatives. In fact, their name means “person of the forest” in Malay. These shy treetop dwellers are very intelligent animals. Long arms and flexible hands and feet help them to move around in trees, looking for fruit and other food. Young orang-utans stay with their mothers for up to seven years, learning the skills they need to survive as adults.

Size Males up to 1.5 m (5 ft); females up to 1.3 m (4 ⁄ ft) ❯14tall Weight Males 50–80 kg (110–176 lb); females 30–45 kg ❯(66–99 lb) Habitat Rainforest. Orang-utans are solitary ❯animals, but females and their offspring may be seen together. Distribution Tropical forest in Borneo and in ❯northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Diet Mainly figs and other ❯fruit, leaves, occasionally insects, honey, and birds’ eggs. Breeding Orang-utans start breeding in their teens. Females ❯give birth once every eight years and infants stay with them for six to seven years. Lifespan Up to 50 years in the wild ❯and 60 years in captivity. Predators Tigers ❯Conservation status ❯ Critically endangered due to habitat loss.

240Mammals❯ New World monkeysNew World monkeys come from Central and South America. Many of them have flat noses and tails that wrap around branches like an extra hand. Black-capped squirrel monkeys live in large groups in the treetops, 1feeding on fruit and insects. They have more than two dozen separate calls, including special alarm sounds if they spot a predator such as an eagle or a snake. The white-faced saki has shaggy fur and feeds closer to the ground. The 2red bald-headed uakari looks as if its head has been 3shaved. Its red face is thought to attract potential mates. Most New World monkeys feed during the day, but the northern night monkey wakes up after dark and is most active 4on moonlit nights. The tiny pygmy marmoset 5 is the world’s smallest monkey, weighing just five times as much New World monkeysC o lo m bia n s p id e rm o n k e yC o m m o nm a rm o s e t2W h ite -fac ed sa k i1B l a c k - capp e d s q u i r r e lm o n k e yC om m o n s q u i r r e lm o n ke yC o l la r e d t it im o n k e yLong waterproof fur4 Northen night monkey3 Red bald-headed uakariLong tail used for balanceLong, white crestGoeldi ’ sm o n k e y5P y g m ym a r m o s e tC o t t o n - t op ma r m o s e tB l a c k - b e a r d e d s a k i

241Mammals❯ New World monkeysas a mouse. Like other marmosets it scampers along branches, and has hands with sharp claws. It gnaws holes in the bark of trees and licks up the sap that oozes out. The southern muriqui 6, also known as the woolly spider monkey, is the largest New World monkey. The Venezuelan red howler 7is the noisiest land animal with a roar that can be heard up to 5 km (3 miles) away. Howlers live in trees and eat leaves. They call at dawn to claim their feeding territory high above the ground. The beautiful golden lion tamarin8is one of the most endangered monkeys in the world. It was rescued from extinction in the 1980s when fewer than 100 were left. The grey woolly monkey stays high up in 9trees, but the white-headed capuchin sometimes feeds 10on the ground, and is good at walking on all fours.10W h it e -h e a d e d c a p u c h in8G o ld e n l io n t am a r inG o ld e n - h e a d e dl i o n t a m a r in7V e n e z u e la n r e d h o w le r6Southernm u r iq u iThick, prehensile tail can grip tree branchesThroat works like an amplifierLong, silky maneEm p e r o r t a m a r inW e e p e rc a p u c h inSCALE9G r e y w o o l l ym o n k e y

242Mammals❯ Old World monkeysOld World monkeysSCALEOld World monkeys live in Africa and Asia, asfar north as Japan. Most of them are tree-dwellers, although baboons spend much of their time on the ground. Unlike New World monkeys, they cannot grip with their tails but they include some amazingly good climbers as well as the fastest monkey on all fours. L’Hoest’s monkey 1 from Central Africa lives in mountain forests. It mainly eats fruit and leaves and has cheek pouches for storing food. The rhesus macaque 2 is found in South Asia, Thailand, and China. It lives in all kinds of habitats, from forests to the outskirts of towns. De Brazza's monkey 3 from Africa has a long, white beard, while the proboscis monkey4from Borneo has a huge, fleshy nose. Proboscis monkeys live in mangrove swamps and are great swimmers and divers. 3D e B r a z z a ’ sm o n k e y2R h e s u sm a ca q u e5Pa tasm o n k e yB lu e m o n k e y4P r o b o s c i sm o n k e y1L ’H o e s t ’ smon k e yNose is largest in males

243Mammals❯ Old World monkeysThey leap from a height of 15 m (50 ft), hitting the water in a noisy belly-flop. The African patas monkey is a 5ground-dweller and a great runner, with a record-breaking top speed of 55 kph (34 mph). Baboons also come from Africa but they have big teeth and a much heavier build. The olive baboon forages in open grassland, while the 6hamadryas baboon lives in rocky places. If baboons 7are threatened, the biggest males face up to the enemy, giving the rest of the troop time to escape. The grivet eats 8insects and plant food. Its predators include the yellow baboon , which hunts smaller monkeys for food. The 9multicoloured mandrill from West Africa has a vivid blue 10and red face. It lives in giant troops called hordes, which can contain 800 animals, a record for any primate.6O l i v e b a b o o n8G r iv e t9 Yellow baboon10Mandr i l lT u f t e d g reyla n g u r7H a m a d r y a s baboonToque m a c a q u eS o u t h e r n p i g - t a i le dm a c a q u eFemales are smaller than malesLong tail for balanceMuscular limbs for fast movement

244Mammals❯ BatsBats5V am p ir eb a t1L y le ’sf ly in g f o xF r a n q u e t ’ se p a u l e t t e d b a tLots of small mammals can glide, but bats are the only ones that can really fly, using muscle power to flap their wings. Their wings are made of skin stretched between amazingly slender finger bones, which can be as thin as a human hair. Small bats usually feed on flying insects but most big ones eat fruit, which they find using keen eyesight and a superb sense of smell. Lyle’s flying fox is a 1fruit-eater from the forests of Southeast Asia. Named after its fox-like face, it spends the daytime roosting upside down in trees, using its large clawed thumbs to move along branches. Geoffroy’s tailless bat comes from Central 2and South America and feeds on sugary nectar with its brush-tipped tongue, but Kitti’s hog-nosed bat from 3Thailand and Myanmar hunts insects, snatching them out Wing membrane attached to hind legsRazor-sharp teeth to pierce skin of victimsLong, clawed thumbs4E g y p t i a n rou s e t t e3K i t t i ’ sh o g - n o s e d b a t2G e o f f r o y ’ s t a i l l e s sb a tWings used like legs on groundTail almost as long as bodyM o u s e -ta i l e d b a t

245Mammals❯ Bats9 Le s s e rh o r s e s h o e b a tSCALEof the air or picking them off plants. It is the world’s tiniest mammal with large ears but a body as small as a bumblebee’s. The Egyptian rousette eats fruit, but the legendary 4vampire bat from Central and South America drinks 5blood from mammals and birds. Silent and stealthy, it scuttles up to its victims on all fours, slicing through their skin with its sharp teeth and lapping up a meal of blood. The large flying fox is one of the world’s biggest bats, with a 6wingspan of 1.5 m (5 ft). Like the spectacled flying fox7from Australia and New Guinea, it sets off to feed at sunset, flying up to 50 km (31 miles) in search of food. Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat is a fruit-eater from Africa, but 8the lesser horseshoe bat is an insect-eater, with a 9small body and surprisingly big wings.P r o b o s c isb a tS e b a ’ s s h o r t - t a i le db a tNose leaf helps in echolocationLarge eyes for seeing after darkBody wrapped in wings when roosting7S p e c t a c l e d f l y i n g f o x8Wa h lbe r g’ s e p a u letted fruit ba t6 Large flying fox

246Mammals❯ BatsD a v y ’sn a k e d - b a c k e d b a t14D a u b e n t o n ’ s b a tG r e a t e rm o u s e - e a r e db a t12N a t t e r e r ’ s b a t11G r e y lo n g - e a r e db a t10C om m o n n o c t u le b a tSCALEMost of the world’s micro-bats feed on flying insects, which they catch after dark. They have small eyes and find their prey by echolocation, using bursts of high-frequency sound to form an “image” of their surroundings. The common noctule from Europe and Asia catches 10most of its food in the air. It also snatches insects off leaves and swoops on them on the ground. The European grey long-eared bat has enormous ears that are almost as long 11as its body. During the winter when it hibernates, it carefully tucks them away under its wings. Natterer’s bat from 12Europe hibernates in caves and mines. During its long winter sleep, its body temperature can drop to just 2°C (35°F) and it may breathe just once an hour. The broad-eared free-tailed bat lives in Central and South America where it is warm all 13Skin between legs and tail aids in flightSlender finger bones13B r o a d - e a r e dfre e - t a i le d b a t

247Mammals❯ Bats15E u r o p e a n f r e e - t a i le d batyear round. It roosts in small groups, but some of its relatives sleep and breed in huge colonies, numbering a million bats or more. Daubenton’s bat scoops up insects from the 14surface of lakes and ponds, hunting mainly at dawn and dusk. The European free-tailed bat spends the whole night 15on the wing. Like other free-tailed bats, it has a distinctive mouse-like tail. The common pipistrelle is the smallest 16bat in Europe. It often roosts in old buildings and hunts around streetlamps, catching insects that are attracted by the light. The ghost bat is the biggest predatory species 17in Australia. As well as catching insects, it eats frogs, lizards, birds, and even other bats. Spix’s disc-winged bat lives in 18Central and South American forests. It has suction cups on its wrists and ankles for roosting underneath leaves. Suction disc for gripping leaves18S p ix ’sd is c -w in g e d b a tL o n g - f in g e r e d b a t17G h o s tb a t16C om m o np ip is t r e l leB i g b r o w n b a tKuhl’spipi t sr e l leN a t h u s iu s ’p ip is t r e l le

HONDURAN WHITE BATS These tiny Central American bats have fluffy white fur, making them look like puffs of cotton wool. They also have eye-catching, golden-yellow ears, black wings, and a snout with a pointed top. They are often found huddled in a colony of four to eight bats roosting under a Heliconia leaf, which they adapt to make a tent for themselves.