Fernwing Bats are named as such because their wings are made up of interlocked fern-like fronds and that they resemble bats. Histiopteropus giganteus is derived from Histiopteris, a genus of fern, Pteropus, a genus of megabats, and giganteus, Latin for large/enormous.
Design
Appearance
The Fernwing Bat is a vampire bat with canine teeth, and is covered in foliages.
Personality
Fernwings Bats are nocturnal, like their common relatives, but unlike most bats, they do not roost in caves, instead they create shallow burrows that they nestle their bodies into, while exposing their fronds towards sunlight. While they sleep, they absorb energy via photosynthesis; if disturbed, they will be lethargic and sleepy.
Origins
The Fernwing Bat is a florafauna species that dwells in the lowland forest regions of Skull Island. Juveniles are approximately 5 feet long from tail to snout, and adults can be up to double this size. Fernwings have a body shape and flying style remarkably similar to those of a bat, and they feature a similar skeletal structure. However, their flesh is largely composed of plant-like tissues with ropy musculature and a dense moss outer coat from which sprout what mostly appear to be fern-like fronds. The fronds can interlock like feathers, and they make up the creature's wings.
The moss is especially coarse, and it creates a multi frequency sound pattern as the Fernwing moves. The sound has been likened to that of cicada or crickets, but it extends well beyond the range of human hearing. Large groups of them can make a truly raucous noise that drowns out all but the loudest speech.
The Fernwings appear to use the noise that their bodies make for echolocation, and they can navigate easily in complete darkness. The sound also has the effect of disorienting the insects and other flying animals that they commonly prey upon, including the common fruit bats that also live on Skull Island.
Fernwings are nocturnal like bats, but, unlike most bats, they do not roost in caves. Instead, Fernwings create shallow burroughs that they nestle their bodies into, while exposing their fronds to the sunlight. Then, they sleep through the day, absorbing energy through photosynthesis. If disturbed during the day, they are sleepy and lethargic.
Fernwings are not generally a significant danger to human explorers on Skull Island, though the noise of their flight can sometimes mask the sounds of more dangerous predators. In addition, their racket can make it difficult to sleep.
Fernwing Bats are among the numerous superspecies encountered on Skull Island.
Abilities
Multi-frequency sound generation
The flesh of Fernwing Bats is largely composed of plant-like tissues with ropy musculature and a dense moss outer coat. This moss is especially coarse, and it creates a multi frequency sound pattern as the Fernwings fly, which is of higher frequency than the sounds generated by cicadas and crickets. Large groups Fernwing Bats create a raucous noise that drowns out all but the loudest speech. The sound also has the effect of disorienting insects and other flying animals that they prey upon, which include common fruit bats of Skull Island.
Echolocation
The Fernwing Bats use this noise generated by their body to echolocate, allowing them to navigate in complete darkness.
Flight
The wings of Fernwing Bats are made interlocking fern-like fronds, which sprout from their flesh.
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