Delicate white bat that looks like steamed piggy bun
By Wan Hailun, Xu Chenlu

If you like Cantonese dim sum, then you've probably heard of the popular bean paste steam buns that are made into adorable shapes of piggy. You probably would not believe that living in a rainforest in southeast Mexico is a peculiar bat has a similar shape to the steam piggy bun. The Honduran white bat is a fascinating creature with a distinctive look.

The white bat that looks like the famous piggy dim sum. /VCG Photo

The white bat that looks like the famous piggy dim sum. /VCG Photo

The Honduran white bat, also known as the Caribbean white tent-making bat, is the only member of the genus Ectophylla. The bat is a talented "tent builder" as it can construct "tents" from plant leaves and rest in them during daytime.

Honduran white bats. /VCG Photo

Honduran white bats. /VCG Photo

Honduran white bats. /VCG Photo

Honduran white bats. /VCG Photo

Honduran white bats hiding in a "tent." /VCG Photo

Honduran white bats hiding in a "tent." /VCG Photo

Due to habitat loss, the Honduran white bat is listed as "near threatened" by the IUCN. As the single species of fig as its food source shrinks due to human activities, the Honduran white bat's population is declining as well.

(All images via VCG.)

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