Previously unknown bats discovered in Chachoengsao

CHACHOENGSAO: -- Tiny bats discovered this week at Wang Takian subdistrict in the provincial seat of this eastern province were previously unknown to local residents.

Paitoon Tronglim, a 35-year-villager, told reporters that around 6pm on Monday, he found a group of strange bats with golden yellow fur along the bodies and black skin on the back of the wings.

The bat 's body size was about that of a human thumb, around four centimetres long. The length from wing tip to left tip when extended was about 20 centimetres.

The villager said he had earlier seen the bats flying around the area but this was the first time he had managed to capture two bat specimens after they hid inside a rolled banana leaf.

He said that the colour of the bats was different from common varieties which are black or brown, and he wanted to know to what species the bats belong.

The Bumblebee Bat, also known as Kitti's Hog-nosed Bat, is the world's smallest species of bat at 30-40 mm in length and weighing approximately 2 grammes.

--TNA 2007-12-25

I imagine they are thinking up new recipes already!

I used to have a girlfriend from Chachoengsao and she also was very small and definitely batty. Maybe there's something in the water around there!

How long now until they find their way to the black market?

If they are from outside the country - what visas are they on ?

Previously unknown bats discovered in Chachoengsao

Paitoon Tronglim, a 35-year-villager, told reporters that around 6pm on Monday, he found a group of strange bats with golden yellow fur along the bodies and black skin on the back of the wings.

--TNA 2007-12-25

Would be great to get photo's for some experts to analyse if this is a new species, not sure a 35 yr old villager is able to make that call!

Edited December 26, 200718 yr by jayjayjayjay

Previously unknown bats discovered in Chachoengsao

Paitoon Tronglim, a 35-year-villager, told reporters that around 6pm on Monday, he found a group of strange bats with golden yellow fur along the bodies and black skin on the back of the wings.

--TNA 2007-12-25

Would be great to get photo's for some experts to analyse if this is a new species, not sure a 35 yr old villager is able to make that call!

The article says that the bats are, "previously unknown to local residents". I can see the next headline, Chachoengsao, hub of unknown bats.

Edited December 26, 200718 yr by chiang mai

Deep fry in garlic butter, crunchy little treats to be enjoyed while downing a beer.

or

Saute in equal parts melted honey and butter, accompany with a dry white andtry not to think about the fact that it's a bat your eating.

Got a picture, I'll try and scan it this evening.

Bumblebee Bat - probably the smallest mammal on the planet and one of the twelve most endangered species on earth

Mr Paitoon Tronglim, pls take good care of your discovery...

Thanks for the picture Tony. I hope an expert can give us a lowdown on what species this could be. The golden lines give it the appearance of a vitamin deficient bum bee bat, but that is only a laymans explanation. I guess the whole coloney are the same. Hope it is a new breed, we need some good news in these days of global warming etc....

And next week the headlines will show a truck load of them were intercepted on their way to China!

And next week the headlines will show a truck load of them were intercepted on their way to China!

Alive or deep fried?

The golden color sure doesn't help.

Yeah, for a night hunting predator, gold doesn't seem like the best choice of colour.

Yeah, for a night hunting predator, gold doesn't seem like the best choice of colour.

Also a colour of choice for the Chinese, thank their genetic history for not having red skin.

Please, don't start eating bats now. How do u think we got Marburg and Ebola? Since Marburg can be sexually transmitted, it won't take long for every man, woman, child and monk in Thailand to catch it.

Edited December 28, 200718 yr by exexpat