Original subtitles

Narrator: WHEN NIGHT FALLS,

THE SKY COMES ALIVE.

A FLUTTER OF WINGS \h\hTHAT, FOR SOME,

IS THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES.

♪

\h\h\hBATS ARE NOT CONFINED TO DARK UNDERGROUND CAVES.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHEY THRIVE IN THE DRIEST OF DESERTS...

SURVIVE MONSOON SEASONS.

THEY RULE TROPICAL JUNGLES,

PATROL WATERWAYS,

\h\h\h\hAND HIDE IN PLACES YOU NEVER THOUGHT TO LOOK.

JUST 45 MILLION YEARS \h\h\h\hOF EVOLUTION

\h\h\h\hHAS EQUIPPED THESE FLYING MAMMALS

WITH SOME BIZARRE ADAPTATIONS,

FROM ULTRASONIC HEARING

TO FREAKISHLY LONG TONGUES.

SOME GATHER IN THE MILLIONS,

\h\h\h\hWHILE OTHERS ARE NEARLY INVISIBLE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND ONE DAREDEVIL THAT WILL LEAVE YOU SPEECHLESS--

\h\h\hTHE MOST HARDCORE BAT ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET.

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, TAKE COVER,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hFOR THESE ARE NATURE’S WINGED FREAKS.

♪

COME OUT OF THE DARK

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND ENTER OUR LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

Man: CRAZY MONSTER BATS!

[CREAKING]

Narrator: FOR CENTURIES, BATS HAVE HAUNTED DREAMS

AS WINGED BEASTS OF TERROR.

BUT OUR COLLECTION IS AS WEIRD \h\h\h\hAS IT IS FASCINATING.

THERE’S THE FISHING BAT

THAT USES GIGANTIC CLAWS \h\h\hTO CATCH ITS PREY,

THE TEQUILA MAKER,

AND AN AGILE ACROBAT.

\h\h\h\h\hONE HAS A TONGUE TWICE AS LONG AS ITS BODY,

WHILE ANOTHER EATS SCORPIONS.

BUT OUR FIRST MONSTER BAT

\hIS RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING THEM ALL A BAD REPUTATION.

♪ CRAZY MONSTER, MONSTER BATS ♪

[HORSE WHINNYING]

Narrator: WHEN DARKNESS FALLS,

NOBODY IN THESE STABLES IS SAFE.

[WHINNYING]

\h\h\hTHE HORSES HAVE NO IDEA WHAT’S LURKING IN THE SHADOWS.

[NICKERING]

IT’S THE VAMPIRE,

AND IT’S TIME TO FEED.

♪

[SQUEAKING]

\hVAMPIRE BATS ARE THE ONLY BATS IN THE WORLD THAT FEED ON BLOOD.

[SQUEAKING]

[HORSE NICKERING]

IT’S A MASTER OF ECHOLOCATION

\h\h\hAND USES BOUNCING ULTRASONIC SOUND WAVES

TO LOCATE ITS VICTIM.

[SQUEAKING]

[HORSE GRUNTING]

OF COURSE, IT CAN FLY,

\hBUT IT PREFERS TO SNEAK UP ON ITS PREY FROM THE GROUND.

[GRUNTING]

STRONG HIND LEGS AND WRISTS \h\h\h\hSUPPORT ITS WEIGHT,

WHILE ELONGATED THUMBS STEER AND PUSH IT OFF THE GROUND.

\h\h\h\hAND IT CAN JUMP UP TO THREE FEET HIGH.

THAT’S LIKE A MAN JUMPING OVER \h\h\hA SEVEN-STORY BUILDING!

[HEART BEATING]

IT CAN TELL WHERE THE WARM BLOOD RUNS CLOSE TO THE SKIN,

THANKS TO HEAT SENSORS \h\h\h\hNEAR ITS NOSE.

[SQUEAKING]

DINNER IS SERVED.

BUT THIS VAMPIRE DOESN’T SIMPLY GULP DOWN HIS VICTIM’S BLOOD.

THERE ARE SPECIAL FORCES \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAT WORK.

[CHATTERING]

WITH THE SHARPEST TEETH IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM,

THE VAMPIRE BAT GENTLY SHEARS AWAY THE HAIRS OF ITS VICTIM

AND MAKES A SMALL INCISION \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE SKIN.

\h\h\hTHE TONGUE SLIPS ALONG THE FUNNEL-SHAPED BOTTOM LIP,

LAPPING UP THE BLOOD.

FINE MICROSCOPIC GROOVES LINE THE SOFT TISSUES IN THE MOUTH.

THE BLOOD FLOWS UP THESE NARROW TUBES

AND POURS INTO THE THROAT \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF THE BAT.

THANKS TO A LOCAL ANESTHETIC \h\h\h\h\hIN THE BAT’S SPIT,

THE VICTIM DOESN’T FEEL A THING.

\h\h\h\h\hAND A BLOOD THINNER KEEPS THE LIFE LIQUID FLOWING.

THE HORSE HAS NO IDEA \h\hTHE BAT IS THERE.

[WHINNYING]

\h\h\h\hAND THE VAMPIRE FEEDS UP TO 30 MINUTES UNDISTURBED.

IT MAY BE THE SIZE \h\hOF YOUR THUMB,

\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT THE VAMPIRE HAS A LIFE-SIZED APPETITE.

\h\h\h\hIN JUST ONE YEAR, A COLONY OF 100 VAMPIRES

CAN DRAIN THE BLOOD \h\h\hOF 25 HORSES.

[GRUNTING]

WITHOUT ITS BLOOD FIX \h\h\h\hEVERY NIGHT,

THE BAT WILL STARVE TO DEATH.

BUT THROUGH SUPER HEARING,

THE VAMPIRE WILL RECOGNIZE \hTHIS HORSE’S BREATHING,

\h\h\hAND TOMORROW NIGHT HE WILL RETURN FOR MORE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWHILE THIS HORSE-RIDING BLOODSUCKER

PREFERS TO FEED SOLO,

THERE IS A BAT IN AFRICA \h\hTHAT IS NEVER ALONE.

[HOWLING]

\hIN THE EVERGREEN SWAMPS OF KASANKA PARK IN ZAMBIA

IS A SOCIAL GATHERING \hOF EPIC PROPORTIONS.

[THUNDER]

[SCREECHING]

IT’S A FRUIT FIESTA.

A STRAW-COLORED FRUIT BAT

\h\hWILL CHEW THROUGH TWICE HIS BODY WEIGHT

IN ONE NIGHT.

♪

BUT AFTER SUCKING OUT \h\h\hTHE FRUIT JUICE,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHE SPITS OUT THE FIBER PELLETS AND SEEDS,

PLANTING NEW TREES AS HE GOES.

♪

DAWN IS APPROACHING.

[SCREECHING]

\hTHE SWARM SETS OUT FOR THEIR DAY ROOST.

[SCREECHING]

WITH A WINGSPAN OF 2 1/2 FEET,

\h\h\hTHESE FLYING FOXES ARE THE BIGGEST BATS IN AFRICA.

\h\h\h\h\hDIFFERENT COLONIES FROM ACROSS THE CONGO BASIN

\hTRAVEL UP TO 3,000 MILES TO GATHER HERE EVERY YEAR,

LURED BY ABUNDANT FRUIT CROPS.

THEY ARRIVE IN HUNDREDS,

THEN THOUSANDS.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSOON THEY’RE IN THEIR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

\h\h\h\hTHE LARGEST MAMMAL MIGRATION ON THE PLANET...

UNTIL OVER 10 MILLION BATS

\h\h\h\h\h\hSQUEEZE INTO A SWAMP THE SIZE OF TEN FOOTBALL FIELDS.

[CHATTERING]

DAYLIGHT MEANS BEDTIME.

TWO AND A HALF THOUSAND TONS \h\h\h\h\hOF SNOOZING BATS.

[SQUEAKING AND CHATTERING]

\hBRANCHES GIVE IN UNDER THE WEIGHT.

\h\h\h\hIT’S ONLY NATURAL THAT OTHER WINGED BEASTS

\h\h\h\h\h\hTAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SOCIAL GATHERING.

[SCREECHING]

[EAGLE CALLING]

[CHIRPING]

THE BATS ARE BLISSFULLY UNAWARE OF THE LOOMING DANGER.

♪

♪

THE FISH EAGLE

PLUCKS THE SLEEPING BATS \h\h\hFROM THEIR DAYBEDS.

♪

♪

♪

\hHE HAS ONLY TWO MONTHS IN WHICH TO FATTEN UP ON THIS BAT BUFFET.

\h\hWHEN THE FRUIT RUNS OUT, THE BATS MOVE FURTHER NORTH.

[SQUAWKING]

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hONE BY ONE THEY GET READY TO LEAVE.

♪

THEY FREE-FALL OVER 6 FEET \hBEFORE CATCHING FLIGHT.

♪

\h\h\h\hWHILE AN UNLUCKY FEW WON’T JOIN THE MASS EXODUS,

THE EAGLE HASN’T MADE A DENT \h\hIN THE SWARM’S NUMBERS.

[SCREECHING]

\h\h\hTHE BAT BLIZZARD IS BUILDING UP AGAIN...

UNTIL OVER 20 MILLION WINGS \h\h\h\h\hBLACK OUT THE SKY.

[SCREECHING]

♪

\h\h\hFROM SWARMING BEASTS AND BLOODSUCKING VAMPIRES,

\h\h\h\hWE NOW TURN TO A BAT THAT BUILDS ITS OWN SHELTER,

AND YOU WON’T BELIEVE \h\hWHERE IT’S HIDING.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

THE DENSE JUNGLES OF CENTRAL AMERICA

\h\hARE FILLED WITH STRANGE ANIMALS...

AND PECULIAR BEHAVIORS.

NOT TO MENTION COUNTLESS DANGERS LURKING IN THE SHADOWS.

AND OUR NEXT ODDBALL BAT HAS A SIMPLE PHILOSOPHY:

\h\hIF YOU CAN’T FIND THE PERFECT HIDEAWAY,

YOU BUILD YOUR OWN.

THE HONDURAN WHITE BAT IS A TENT-BUILDING BAT.

[SCREECH]

HE’S A MICRO-BAT,

\hAND HIS LARGE EARS AND POINTY NOSE-LEAF

ARE PERFECTLY ADAPTED \h\hFOR ECHOLOCATION,

WHICH HE’LL USE TO NAVIGATE \hTHROUGH THE DENSE JUNGLE,

OR TO HUNT FOR INSECTS.

BUT THIS FUZZ BALL’S \h\h\hFAVORITE FOOD

IS BLOOD-RED BERRIES.

♪

\h\h\hHE’S BUILDING UP ENERGY FOR THE DAUNTING TASK AT HAND.

AND BEST HE GETS GOING.

[THUNDER]

A STORM IS BREWING.

[THUNDER]

HE SEEKS OUT THE PERFECT LEAF.

AND WITH HIS TEETH, HE STARTS \h\h\hGNAWING AT THE MIDRIB.

THIS WILL TAKE HIM ALL NIGHT.

HE FINISHED JUST IN TIME.

THE RAIN FINALLY SUBSIDES,

\h\h\h\hAND THANKS TO OUR BUILDER’S SKILLS,

\hHE AND HIS HAREM ARE SAFE AND DRY.

THE MASTER CRAFTER HAS TURNED A LEAF

INTO A WAXY WATERPROOF HOUSE,

COMPLETE WITH TINY FOOTHOLDS \h\h\h\hFOR THEIR BAT CLAWS.

BY GNAWING THROUGH THE VEINS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE LEAF,

THE SIDES HAVE FLOPPED DOWN \h\h\h\h\hAND MADE A TENT...

THE PERFECT HIDEOUT.

\h\h\h\h\hBUT FOR A BAT THAT LIKES TO COVER UP,

WHY BE BRIGHT WHITE?

AS THE SUN HEATS UP

\h\h\h\hAND FORCES ITS WAY THROUGH THE FOREST CANOPY,

THE BUILDER CHANGES COLOR.

IN AN INGENIOUS TRICK OF LIGHT,

\h\hTHE LEAFY GREEN REFLECTION CONCEALS THE BRIGHT WHITE BATS

EVEN MORE.

♪

\hBUT THIS HOUSE IS NOT JUST FOR SHELTER AND CAMOUFLAGE.

\h\h\h\hTHE STEM OF THE LEAF IS A BUILT-IN ALARM SYSTEM.

♪

[SQUEAKING]

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hONE TOUCH BY AN UNWELCOME PREDATOR,

AND THE BATS ARE OUT OF THERE.

\h\hBUT THE BUILDER IS NOT THE ONLY BAT

THAT HAS FOUND A WELCOME RETREAT IN THE LEAFY SHADOWS.

OUR NEXT MISFIT HAS EVOLVED CRAZY FEET FOR ITS HANGOUT.

♪

IT’S THE SUCKER-FOOTED BAT.

\hAND IT’S TAKING THE EASY WAY OUT.

INSTEAD OF BUILDING \hITS OWN SHELTER,

\hTHE SUCKER BAT USES A READY-MADE HIDEOUT:

THE COILED-UP LEAVES \hOF BANANA PLANTS.

\h\hTHE BAT’S TOES HAVE FUSED TOGETHER

TO FORM FREAKISH SUCKERS

WITH WHICH IT CAN STICK TO A VERTICAL SURFACE.

\h\h\h\h\hAND A BIT OF SPIT STRENGTHENS THE STICKY SEAL.

THE SUCTION CUPS ARE SO STRONG

\hTHAT JUST ONE DISC CAN HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE ENTIRE BAT.

THE SUCKER BAT’S FACE AND BUTT \h\h\h\h\hARE COVERED IN WARTS

THAT PICK UP TINY VIBRATIONS \h\hON THE LEAF’S SURFACE...

[SQUEAKING]

SO THE BAT IS ALWAYS AWARE \h\h\h\h\hOF HIS NEIGHBORS.

\h\hTHE ROLLED-UP LEAF ALSO COMES IN HANDY AS A TRUMPET

TO AMPLIFY THEIR CALLS AS THEY TALK TO THEIR ROOST BUDDIES...

[SQUEAKING]

\h\h\hAND LISTEN FOR CALLBACKS WITH THEIR FUNNEL-SHAPED EARS.

[DISTANT SQUEAKING]

WHILE THE SUCKER BAT CAN ATTACH TO THE LEAF IN ANY DIRECTION,

IT IS ONE OF ONLY SIX SPECIES OF BATS TO ROOST WITH ITS HEAD UP.

THIS MAKES IT EASY TO ESCAPE \h\h\h\h\hFROM THAT PREDATOR

THAT’S STILL SKULKING ABOUT.

[SQUEAKING]

[SQUAWKING]

♪

FROM THE SUCKERS AND THE BUILDERS

AND THE THIRSTY BLOOD DRINKERS,

\h\h\h\h\h\hWE NOW TURN TO A PROMISCUOUS CIRCUS FREAK

\hTHAT TAKES TUMBLING TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

THIS IS THE ACROBAT.

♪ CRAZY MONSTERS ♪

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hNarrator: THE WET TROPICAL JUNGLES \hOF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA,

\h\h\h\h\h\hHOME TO AN ORGY OF LITTLE RED FLYING FOXES.

[BIRDS CALLING]

\h\h\h\h\hLONG CLAWED THUMBS MAKE IDEAL CLAMBERING HOOKS

FOR WALKING THE TIGHTROPE.

AND A GOOD GRIP IS IMPORTANT

WHEN YOU’RE AS HYPERACTIVE \h\h\h\h\h\hAS THE ACROBAT.

\h\hTHESE TRAPEZE ARTISTS HAVE A 40-INCH WINGSPAN.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE WINGS ARE TECHNICALLY WEBBING

BETWEEN ELONGATED FINGERS.

AND SPECIAL GLANDS SECRETE OILS TO NOURISH AND HEAL THE SKIN

AND INCREASE ELASTICITY.

♪

IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE,

\h\h\h\h\hAND THE WINGS ARE HANDY COOLING FANS.

\h\h\h\hSPECIAL MUSCLES KEEP THE STRETCHY WING MEMBRANES

STIFF IN FLIGHT.

\h\h\hTHE LITTLE RED SPENDS A THIRD OF ITS DAY GROOMING

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND ANOTHER LARGE CHUNK OF IT SLEEPING.

\hAND THEY’LL NEED THEIR ENERGY LATER.

BUT JUST HOW DO THESE ACROBATS \h\h\hHANG AROUND UPSIDE-DOWN

WITHOUT EVER FALLING,

\h\h\h\hNOT EVEN WHEN THEY’RE HAVING A NAP?

\h\hTHE ANSWER LIES INSIDE THEIR FEET.

AS THE WEIGHT OF THE BAT’S BODY PULLS DOWN WITH GRAVITY,

THE TENDONS IN THE FEET \h\h\hARE PULLED BACK,

\h\h\hCURLING THE TOES WITHOUT USING MUSCLES.

THE TENDONS ATTACHED TO THE TOES HAVE A ROUGH PATCH

\h\hWITH WARTY OUTGROWTHS THAT SLOT INTO A SHEATH.

THE TWO PARTS FORM A LOCK,

\h\h\h\hAND THE TENDON IS LATCHED INTO PLACE.

WITH CURVED CLAWS,

THE FEET BASICALLY BECOME \h\h\h\hBAT COAT HANGERS.

WHEN THE BAT WANTS TO TAKE OFF

\h\hAND ITS WEIGHT IS BROUGHT BACK UP,

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE TENDON IS FREED FROM THE LATCH

AND THE BENT CLAWS ARE RELEASED.

THE MECHANISM IS SO EFFECTIVE

\h\h\hTHAT EVEN DEAD BATS REMAIN HANGING IN PLACE.

[SCREECHING]

WHEN YOU’RE ALWAYS UPSIDE-DOWN,

YOU NEED A TRICK MOVE \h\hWHEN NATURE CALLS.

♪

♪

♪

BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY MOVE \h\h\h\h\h\hTHAT COUNTS HERE.

THE ACROBATS COMPETE FOR FEMALES IN UPSIDE-DOWN BOXING MATCHES.

THEY’RE SKILLFUL FIGHTERS...

AND GIFTED LOVERS.

IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE ACROBATIC LITTLE RED FLYING FOX MALES

ARE FIGHTING OVER TERRITORY

AND FEMALES.

\h\h\hIT’S INVERTED MIXED MARTIAL ARTS.

THEY CLAW, BOX, AND BITE.

[SQUAWKING]

\h\hTHE VICTORIOUS PROMISCUOUS GYMNAST

WILL MATE WITH ANY FEMALE \h\h\hTHAT WILL HAVE HIM.

♪

AND IT’S A TRICKY AFFAIR,

EVEN IF YOU’RE HUNG LIKE A BAT.

♪

♪

\h\hAFTER ALL THIS ACTION, OUR ACROBAT NEEDS A DRINK.

\h\h\h\hAND THERE’S A SURPRISE WELCOMING PARTY LYING IN WAIT.

TO QUENCH THEIR THIRST,

THEY’LL LICK THE WATER \h\h\hFROM THEIR FUR...

IF THEY ARE ACROBATIC ENOUGH

\hTO ESCAPE THE NIMBLE FRESHWATER CROCODILES.

♪

SOME BATS ARE GOOD AT SWINGING,

WHILE OTHERS GIVE US \h\hDRUNKEN DELIGHT.

BUT OUR NEXT FREAK-FOOTED FLIER IS A SPECIALIST HUNTER.

IT’S THE FISH MONGER.

♪

[INSECTS CHIRPING]

AS NIGHT FALLS

ON THE SPOOKY WATERWAYS \h\h\h\hOF COSTA RICA,

A BIZARRE-LOOKING CREATURE \h\h\h\hCOMES OUT TO PLAY.

IT’S THE GREATER BULLDOG BAT,

NAMED FOR HIS DROOPING LIPS \hAND FLAT, SQUARE MUZZLE,

\h\h\h\hRESEMBLING THAT OF HIS CANINE NAMESAKE.

\h\h\hBUT THAT’S WHERE THE SIMILARITIES END.

HE’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST BATS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE WORLD,

\h\hWITH A WINGSPAN OF OVER THREE FEET.

\h\hHE’S HUGE AND HAS AN APPETITE TO MATCH.

THIS BAT HAS DEVELOPED \h\hA TASTE FOR SUSHI.

THROUGH ECHOLOCATION,

HE LISTENS FOR RIPPLES CAUSED BY FISH SWIMMING IN THE SHALLOWS.

THAT’S ALL HE NEEDS TO SET HIS HUNTING REPERTOIRE IN MOTION.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hHIS HIND FEET ARE LIKE GRAPPLING HOOKS,

FOUR TIMES AS BIG AS THE FEET \h\h\h\hOF NON-FISHING BATS.

♪

HE DRAGS HIS GIANT CURVED CLAWS THROUGH THE WATER.

♪

[CHIRPING]

♪

HE IMPALES ANY UNLUCKY FISH \hIN THE DEADLY RAKE’S PATH.

[CRUNCH]

NOT EVEN THE SLIPPERIEST \h\h\h\h\hSUCKERS ESCAPE.

WITH FORMIDABLE TEETH, HE BITES THROUGH SCALES AND FISH BONES.

HE DEVOURS UP TO 40 FISH \h\h\h\h\h\hIN ONE NIGHT.

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\hHE STORES LEFTOVERS IN HIS STRETCHY CHEEKS...

♪

WHILE HE CONTINUES HIS FISHING BINGE

DEEP INTO THE NIGHT.

♪

AWAY FROM THE WATERWAYS,

ON THE OUTER EDGES \h\hOF THE JUNGLE,

ANOTHER MONSTER HUNTER \hIS STARTING TO STIR.

IT’S THE FRINGE-LIPPED BAT.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHE WEIGHS AS MUCH AS A GOLF BALL,

WHICH IS HEAVY FOR A BAT.

BUT HIS STRONG CLAWED FEET

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hEASILY COPE WITH THIS HANGING HEAVYWEIGHT.

HE’S EQUIPPED WITH A FEW OTHER CLEVER ACCESSORIES

TO EASE UP DINNER TIME.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hENLARGED EARS LISTEN OUT FOR FROG CALLS...

[CHIRPING]

THE FLUTTER OF INSECT WINGS...

[FLUTTERING]

\hOR THE PITTER PATTER OF LITTLE LIZARD FEET.

[RUSTLING]

SHARP-CLAWED THUMBS ARE PERFECT FOR MANIPULATING PREY.

\hTEETH BITE THROUGH BODY ARMOR AND BONE,

\hAND A WARTY FACE IS NOT JUST FOR MONSTROUS APPEAL.

THE BUMPS ON HIS LIPS AND CHIN \h\h\h\h\hACT LIKE TASTE BUDS.

THE FRINGE-LIPPED BAT LEARNS \h\h\hWHICH PREY TASTES GOOD

AND WHICH ARE POISONOUS.

[CHATTERING]

\hAND AN ALL-DAY SNOOZE HAS LEFT HIM STARVING.

\h\h\h\h\hWITH STRONG WINGS, HE WEAVES THROUGH THE FOREST,

LOOKING AND LISTENING FOR PREY.

♪

♪

♪

\h\h\hWHILE YOU ARE BLISSFULLY SLEEPING,

BATS ARE ON THE HUNT,

\hAND SOME DEVELOP GENIUS ADAPTATIONS

FOR DEALING WITH THE DARK,

LIKE OUR NEXT CRAZY MONSTER BAT.

\h\h\hSOME BATS ARE SPECIALIST KILLERS,

WHILE OTHERS ARE LEAF LOVERS.

BUT OUR NEXT BAT IS KNOWN \h\h\h\hFOR ITS UGLY FACE,

NICKNAMED THE MEGAPHONE.

♪ CRAZY MONSTERS ♪

Narrator: IN A DESERTED CAVE \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN SOUTH AFRICA

\h\hLIVES OUR NEXT CRAZY MONSTER BAT.

\hTHE HORSESHOE BAT WEIGHS AS LITTLE AS AN EMPTY PAPER CUP,

\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT DON’T LET ITS SMALL SIZE FOOL YOU.

[CLICKING]

\h\h\h\h\hROOSTING COLONIES ARE MADE OF DOZENS OF BATS.

\hAND THESE CAVE DWELLERS SLEEP, FLY, HUNT, AND EAT

IN COMPLETE DARKNESS.

[SQUEAKING]

\h\h\h\h\hTHE SECRET TO THIS INSECT-EATING BAT’S SUCCESS

LIES IN THE BIZARRE STRUCTURE \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hON ITS FACE,

CALLED A NOSE-LEAF.

\h\h\hIT MAY LOOK LIKE SOMETHING STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR NIGHTMARES,

\h\h\h\h\hBUT THIS UGLY MUG HAS A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

THE HORSESHOE BAT’S \hFLESHY NOSE LEAF

\h\h\hCAN MOVE AND CURVE TO MODIFY ITS ACOUSTICS.

THE BAT RELEASES SOUND PULSES \h\h\h\hTHROUGH ITS NOSTRILS.

\h\h\hTHE STRUCTURE AROUND THE NOSTRILS

ACTS LIKE A MEGAPHONE TO AMPLIFY AND DIRECT CERTAIN FREQUENCIES.

THE SOUND WAVES MOVE OUT, AND AS THEY HIT OBJECTS,

THEY ECHO BACK TO THE BAT.

THESE ECHOES FALL ON THE BAT’S \h\h\h\hENORMOUS DYNAMIC EARS

\h\hTHAT CAN ADJUST IN SHAPE AND ANGLE

TO FILTER THE SOUND \hMORE EFFICIENTLY.

\h\h\h\h\h\hFASTER THAN YOU CAN BLINK YOUR EYE

\h\h\hTHE BAT CAN TELL HOW FAR THE OBJECT IS,

WHAT SHAPE IT IS,

AND IF IT’S MOVING OR NOT.

[SQUEAKING]

AND THIS HAS TURNED \hTHE HORSESHOE BAT

INTO A RULER OF DARKNESS.

THE BAT’S HEARING \hIS SO SENSITIVE

\h\h\h\hTHAT IN ORDER NOT TO DEAFEN ITSELF,

\h\h\hIT DROPS ITS HEARING SENSITIVITY WHILE CALLING.

\h\h\hBUT WITHIN MILLISECONDS, THE EAR IS BACK ON FULL POWER,

\h\h\hREADY TO RECEIVE THE ECHO OF AN INSECT.

♪

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\hAND IF YOU THINK THE INSECT-HUNTING ABILITIES

OF THE HORSESHOE BAT \h\h\hIS IMPRESSIVE,

\h\h\h\hWAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT OUR NEXT WINGED FREAK FEEDS ON.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET, IN ARID MEXICO,

IS A VERY PECULIAR BAT.

♪

♪

\h\h\h\h\hIT’S NOT INSECTS THAT BRING THE BATS HERE.

IT’S THE SWEET SCENT OF NECTAR.

[MAN LAUGHING]

[MARIACHI MUSIC PLAYING]

THE LESSER LONG-NOSED BAT.

HE’S AN EXPERT AT HOVERING

AND AVOIDS GETTING IMPALED \h\h\h\h\hBY SPIKEY CACTUS.

THIS NECTAR SPECIALIST \hISN’T ALWAYS AROUND.

\h\h\h\h\h\hHE TRAVELS UP TO 700 MILES A YEAR,

FOLLOWING THE NECTAR TRAIL \h\h\h\h\hOF CACTUS BLOOMS

BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE U.S.,

AND EVOLUTION

HAS HELPED HIM MAKE THE MOST \h\h\h\hOF THIS SWEET FEST.

HIS TONGUE IS AS LONG \h\h\h\h\hAS HIS BODY

\h\h\h\hAND REACHES DEEP INTO THE SAGUARO BLOOMS.

\h\h\h\h\hHIS PALE FUR GETS COVERED IN POLLEN,

AND HE TRANSFERS THIS \h\h\h\hAS HE FEEDS,

FROM FLOWER TO FLOWER.

♪

HE VISITS UP TO 100 BLOOMS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN ONE NIGHT.

\h\h\hAND THE SAGUARO IS NOT THE ONLY PLANT

THAT THESE HOVERING FREAKS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hPOLLINATE.

♪

AGAVES.

INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP OF PLANTS

\h\hIS THE ONE THAT BRINGS US TEQUILA.

♪

\h\h\hTHE SWEET NECTAR ATTRACTS MANY ANIMALS,

AND THE BATS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

♪

♪

WITHOUT THESE TEQUILA BATS,

MEXICO’S SIGNATURE HOOCH \h\h\h\h\hWOULDN’T EXIST.

♪

AND WHEN THE BLOOMING TRAIL MOVES ALONG, SO DO THE BATS.

[MAN LAUGHING]

♪

THE TEQUILA BAT IS NOT THE ONLY NECTAR-LOVING BEAST.

\h\h\hIN ECUADOR, ANOTHER IS LAPPING UP THE LIQUID.

\hAND YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE SIZE OF ITS TONGUE.

IN SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE \h\h\hCORNERS OF THE GLOBE,

ANIMALS AND PLANTS \hEVOLVE TOGETHER,

\h\h\hTHE ONE NOT BEING ABLE TO EXIST WITHOUT THE OTHER.

♪

LIKE THIS FLOWER

AND A PARTICULARLY BIZARRE BAT.

♪

♪

\h\h\hTHE NECTAR OF THIS PLANT IS HIDDEN SO DEEP IN THE BLOOM

THAT ONLY ONE ANIMAL \h\hCOULD REACH IT--

THE BAT WE CALL "THE TONGUE."

♪

ENDEMIC TO THE CLOUD FORESTS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF ECUADOR,

\hTHE TUBE-LIPPED NECTAR BAT WAS UNKNOWN TO THE WORLD UNTIL 2005.

♪

IT HAS SHORT, STRONG WINGS, \h\h\hPERFECT FOR HOVERING.

♪

ITS DARK FUR KEEPS IT HIDDEN \h\h\h\h\hIN THE SHADOWS...

WHILE ITS FREAKISHLY LONG TONGUE

\h\h\hCAN DIP INTO A FLOWER SEVEN TIMES IN ONE SECOND.

♪

PROTRUSIONS FROM THE TIP GIVE IT A BRUSH-LIKE APPEARANCE,

\h\h\h\h\hAND THIS HELPS IN LAPPING UP THE NECTAR

\h\hAND GETTING IT TO THE BAT’S MOUTH.

♪

ITS TONGUE IS ONE AND A HALF TIMES THE LENGTH OF ITS BODY.

THAT’S EQUIVALENT TO A HUMAN \h\h\hWITH A 9-FOOT TONGUE.

COMPARED TO BODY LENGTH,

THAT MAKES THIS THE LONGEST \h\h\hTONGUE OF ALL MAMMALS.

\h\h\h\h\hAND IT STARTS IN THE BAT’S RIB CAGE.

AS THE BAT REACHES IN DEEP \h\h\hFOR THE SWEET TREAT,

POLLEN STICKS TO HIS FUR

\h\hAND IS CARRIED TO THE NEXT BLOOM.

♪

\hIT’S THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT CAN POLLINATE THIS FLOWER.

\h\h\h\h\hWITHOUT THE BAT, THE PLANT WOULDN’T EXIST.

AND WITHOUT THE FLOWER,

THE BAT WOULDN’T HAVE \h\hITS FREAKY TONGUE.

♪

FROM WEIRD TONGUES AND STRANGE FACES,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWE NOW TURN TO THE ULTIMATE BAD-ASS BAT.

HE HAS NO FEAR!

THIS IS THE DAREDEVIL.

\h\h\h♪ CRAZY MONSTER, CRAZY MONSTER BATS! ♪

♪

Narrator: IT’S PITCH-BLACK \hIN THE SONORAN DESERT...

AND A DAREDEVIL IS ON THE HUNT.

♪

IT’S THE PALLID BAT.

[CHIRPING]

HE HUNTS USING ECHOLOCATION,

\h\h\h\h\hBUT CAN ALSO SWITCH THIS ABILITY OFF

AND INSTEAD, WITH ENORMOUS EARS,

\h\h\hJUST LISTEN OUT FOR HIS DEADLY PREY.

THIS CREEP CRAWLS ACROSS \h\h\h\hTHE DESERT FLOOR,

LOOKING FOR A SNACK IN HIDING.

♪

[SQUEAKING]

\h\h\h\h\hTHE PALLID BAT IS A VERY SOCIAL ANIMAL.

IT EMBRACES OTHER PALLIDS AND EVEN SHARES ITS FOOD.

[CLICKING AND POPPING]

\hBUT THAT’S WHERE ITS SOFT SIDE ENDS.

\h\h\h\hIT NEGOTIATES ITS HARSH ENVIRONMENT

WITH A 16-INCH WINGSPAN.

ITS STRONG THUMBS HELP IT \h\hCLAMBER ON THE GROUND

\hAND ARE FINISHED OFF WITH SUPER SHARP CLAWS.

AND ITS GRIPPING FEET CAN GRAB \hHOLD OF WRIGGLING CREATURES.

ITS OVERSIZED EARS CAN PICK UP \h\hTHE FAINTEST OF FOOTSTEPS.

[RUSTLING]

SCORPIONS!

[CLICKING]

[CLICKING]

\hOTHERS ARE PUT OFF BY THE STINGER AND ITS NASTY VENOM,

BUT NOT OUR DAREDEVIL.

[CLICKING]

♪

THE SCORPION DESPERATELY \hJABS AT ITS ASSAILANT,

BUT THIS BAT HAS A SECRET...

ANTI-VENOM.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE PALLID BATTENS DOWN THE HATCHES.

HE USES HIS WINGS AND TAIL FLAP TO CONTAIN THE SQUIRMING PREY.

THERE’S NO ESCAPING.

\hHEAVY, ROBUST TEETH MAKE MINCEMEAT OF THIS SCORPION.

♪

♪

♪

THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG,

AND THE DAREDEVIL’S HUNT \h\h\h\h\hHAS JUST BEGUN.

♪

OUR COLLECTION OF WINGED BEASTS

\h\h\h\h\hHAS MANY WEIRD AND WONDERFUL ABILITIES,

FROM SHAPE-SHIFTING FACES \hAND SUPER STICKY FEET,

\h\hTO THE POLLINATORS AND THE BLOODSUCKERS,

FROM CLIMBERS AND ASSASSINS

TO BUILDERS AND SWARMS.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHESE FLYING MAMMALS DON’T BELONG IN YOUR NIGHTMARES;

THEY’VE GOT THEIR SPOT OF HONOR IN OUR HOUSE OF HORRORS,

\h\hHOME TO NATURE’S TRULY EXTRAORDINARY.

[SLAM]

[THUNDER]