Crab Bat Diaries

BATmanCRAB

2011-04-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know who this crab thinks he's fooling, but he will never be accepted into the elite world of bat crabs and crab bats with that lame attempt at species-disguise.

When CrabBats Attack...

2008-12-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

CrabBats layed dormant for years, but this photographic evidence proves that these elusive, bloodthirsty creatures have forced their way back into modern society.

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How do they fly?

2008-03-17T20:44:00.003-07:00

Sideways.

Crab-Bats in Popular Culture

2008-03-17T20:44:00.001-07:00

Crab-Bats and Bat-Crabs have both become staples in modern society. While much is still unknown about these fascinating creatures, their myths and legends have managed to infiltrate many of today’s cultural foundations.

Photos from the Bat-Crab Festival in Barcelona, Spain

Traditional Headdress of the Masiloma Tribe of Honduras during the Crab-Bat Coronation

American movie depicting the Crab-Bat and Bat-Crab
Oscar Winner, Best Picture 1987

Why are there more Crab-Bats than Bat-Crabs?

2008-03-17T20:43:00.001-07:00

Following their modern discovery in the early 1800’s, bat-crabs became a popular source of fur for shoes, hats and underwear. Their pelts would range from between $3.00 to $45.00 for a full bat-crab with claws intact. Bat-Crabs became such as large source of the garment-making business that it was estimated that at one point there were more people wearing bat-crab fur than there were bat-crabs wearing bat-crab fur. Fortunately, in 1875 an international law was passed listing the bat-crab as a protected species. Since that time, the bat-crab population has again begun to flourish.

Pictures of Bat-Crab Trappers

What do they eat?

2008-03-17T20:42:00.001-07:00

Although various crab-bat species eat different kinds of food, the vast majority consume a variety of insects such as moths, beetles, gnats, crickets and of course, the tears of young children.

When did they first appear?

2008-03-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

Evidence for crab-bat-like flying animals appears as far back as the Eocene Epoch, some 50 million years ago; however, the fossil record tracing crab-bat evolution is scanty. Based on similarities of bones and teeth, most authorities agree the crab-bat's ancestors were probably insect eating placental animals, possibly living in trees or in the sand, and likely the same group that gave rise to shrews, shrimp and moles.

Early Cave Drawings of Crab-Bats and Bat-Crabs

What are they?

2008-03-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

What are they?
Not much is known about the origins of these two unique hybrids. What is sure is that their development displays an example of Mother Nature’s infinite imagination. Scientists now believe that crab-bats and bat-crabs were once one unified species until an earthquake shook the ground, causing a mountainous divide. The tribe was separated with what is now the crab-bats inhabiting the lower valley and the bat-crabs populating the upper mountains.

The crab-bats flourished by feeding on insects and grub worms, and the bat-crabs survived on small birds. Though both animals can fly, the crab-bats are much more skilled on the ground, while the bat-crabs are swift and agile in the air. The two developing species lived in relative peace until a flood filled the valley, causing the crab-bats to look to higher ground for food. The bat-crabs, did not welcome the arrival of their long-lost brethren.

No one knows for sure who drew first blood. Some theorists believe that the crab-bats began the epic battle when they clawed the bat-crab queen to death. Others say that the crab-bats actions were in response to the bat-crab kidnapping of the crab-bat alpha male. What is for certain, is that the two brethren are now engaged in an epic civil war with no end in sight.

How were they discovered?

2008-03-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

Crab-Bats were first discovered in the mountains outside of Brazil by explorer Fredrico Van Spluphetermer in 1673, who was originally searching for a more convenient trade route to trade sheep testicles with vendors in the major cities. Van Spluphetermer happened upon a small colony of the peculiar, side-flying creatures when he traveled off his designated path in order to replenish his water supply…what he found was so much more! After admiring his new discovery, Van Spluphetermer decided to set up camp. Unbeknownst to him, destiny was waiting for night fall. Van Spluphetermer awoke only to find himself covered from head to toe with scurrying crab-bats. He attempted free himself, but the grip of their claws proved to be too powerful. Suddenly, Van Spluphetermer was lifted into the air, flying side-ways at a projected speed of up to forty knots. When the crab-bats finally touched ground, Van Spluphetermer found himself in a valley with thousands of crab-bats flying and crawling all around him. Van Spluphetermer was delighted with his amazing discovery and was eager to share his findings with his countrymen. He collected several of the astonishing creatures, both for food and show and began to make his way back toward civilization. Though he may not have known it at the time, Van Spluphetermer’s unique finding may have changed the course modern zoology forever.

Unfortunately, the modern discovery of bat-crabs is a much darker and more sinister story. In 1804 a small group of Jesuit missionaries were traveling through the mountains of Brazil with the hopes of reaching Portugal. They never made their destination. Out of worry, and some may say pride, the Brazilian government sent in troops in search of the missionaries. What they found was a gruesome reminder of man’s place in the animal kingdom. The missionaries had been torn limb from limb. Their bodies were mangled and appeared to have claw marks all over them. When the troops finally encountered the culprits they could not believe their eyes. The bat-crabs engulfed the troops. Only two survived, maimed and terrified. One soldier reported, “They came from the side. Always from the side.” The other was too traumatized to speak of the events that happened that day. All he could say was that he “still heard the clicking of their claws.”

Crab-Bat/Bat-Crab Facts

2008-03-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

CRAB-BAT BAT-CRAB

Callinectes sapidus-Pteronotus parnellii

Pteronotus parnellii-Callinectes sapidus

Brazil. Photo by L. H. Emmons.

Western civilization has generally regarded crab-bats and bat-crabs with superstition, fear, and uncertainty. Too often, popular misconceptions have labeled them as "dirty," "disease carriers," "blood suckers," or “sand scurriers” an unenviable reputation to be sure. Only in China, expressed in art and handicrafts, has the crab-bat achieved respectability as a symbol of happiness and good luck. This document attempts to dispel the fears and answer some of the questions most often asked of the National Museum of Natural History by presenting some general facts about the biology and natural history of these shy, nocturnal, sand/sky creatures.