Viral image of fluffy white bats is not real

Hyderabad: Several social media users have posted an image of white furry bats claiming that it is an image of a white bat.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found the claim to be false. The photo shows a stuffed doll.

We performed a reverse image search of the viral image and found the same image uploaded on the website Etsy. Etsy is a global online marketplace where people come together to make, sell, buy, and collect unique items.

The Pomeranian-like white bats were described as “Three White Bats/Gothic Bat/Halloween/Flying Fox/Bat/dollhouse/Miniature/realistic bat/Vampire bat/Gothic gift ideas/Halloween bat” on the website.

Meanwhile, white bats are real.

According to Rainforest Alliance, “With an average length of 3.7–4.7 cm, Honduran white bats are tiny for a bat. True to their name, they have a fluffy white coat. Their ears, face, nose and parts of their legs and wings are bright orange. Almost no hair grows on their black wings. Since their nose protrudes from their face in a triangular shape, scientists call members of their family “leaf-nosed bats.” There is a thin, black membrane covering their skull that might provide the bats with protection from ultraviolet radiation—a natural form of sunscreen!”

Below is an image of a white bat or Honduran white bat:

From this, it is evident that the viral image does not show real white bats. Hence, the claim is false.