Cheiromeles

One of the most unusual groups in the bat world, containing only two rare species—the Hairless bat (Cheiromeles torquatus) and the Lesser naked bat (Cheiromeles parvidens). Native to Southeast Asia, these bats stand out because, unlike most of their furry cousins, they are almost completely hairless, with smooth, dark, wrinkled skin that gives them a rather alien or bulldog-like appearance. Their odd look is part of what makes them so fascinating, and it has earned them nicknames like the “naked bulldog bats.”

What really sets Cheiromeles apart is their skin folds and special pouches. These strange folds act like natural storage spaces—allowing them to tuck in their wings neatly against their bodies when roosting. This feature gives them a sleek, pocketed look, almost as though they’re wearing built-in flight suits. They also have short fur around the neck, forming a slight collar, which may help with warmth and give them a quirky, almost “dressed-up” appearance compared to their otherwise bare bodies.

In terms of lifestyle, Cheiromeles bats are insectivores, feasting mainly on moths, beetles, and other flying bugs. They are powerful fliers with long, narrow wings that allow them to cover wide open spaces as they hunt at dusk. Like other bats, they use echolocation to find prey in the dark, producing high-pitched calls to detect even the tiniest flutter of an insect’s wings. During the day, they gather in large colonies, roosting in caves, hollow trees, and sometimes abandoned buildings. Their social behavior means they huddle closely together, which also helps them conserve warmth in the absence of fur.