Photo: Bat Bugs Evolved Fake Genitals to Avoid Sex Injuries



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
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

Photo and Headline Widget

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