Photo: Bat Bugs Evolved Fake Genitals to Avoid Sex Injuries

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


Bat bugs swarm across a cave wall near a fruit bat colony. The tiny bugs (inset) related to bed bugs suck the blood of bats.

New research shows that the bugs are using an odd mix of gender-bending tactics to avoid injury during sexual encounters.

Photographs © Richard Naylor

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy

MOST VIEWED NEWS

Hurricane Gustav to Become Gulf Coast Monster?

Portal to Maya Underworld Found in Mexico?

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: New Giant Fish Species Announced

NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

Photo and Headline Widget

Put our latest news and photos on your Web page or desktop—automatically updates! See Sample
Download Widget