A Terrifying Image Goes Viral
An astonishing photo depicting a human-sized bat in the Philippines has been causing quite a stir on social media. The image, reported to be 100% genuine, has captivated internet users. However, there’s more to this story than meets the eye. Let’s delve into the details and explore the reactions online.
The Astonishing Perspective
At first glance, the photo is undeniably unsettling. The bat appears enormous and is bound to send shivers down your spine. However, it’s essential to understand the perspective from which the picture was taken.
While no tricks or photo editing were employed, the angle and framing of the shot create an optical illusion, making the bat appear much larger than it actually is. In reality, the creature is known as a giant golden-crowned flying fox and is not truly human-sized.
Incredible photo of terrifying ‘human-sized’ bat is not fake… but still may not be quite as it seems https://t.co/LxFzk8EHhW
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 7, 2020
The image captures the bat, known for hanging upside down, as it clings to the structure of a building. Although its wingspan can reach human-like proportions, measuring up to five and a half feet, the actual body of the flying fox is around one foot tall.
The photo gained significant attention when shared on Twitter by user @AlexJoestar622, who humorously commented, “Remember when I told y’all about the Philippines having human-sized bats? Yeah, this was what I was talking about.”
A Clever Use of Forced Perspective
The seemingly gargantuan bat in the picture is a perfect example of forced perspective. By manipulating the angle and viewpoint, the photographer created an illusion that distorts the bat’s size, making it appear either much smaller or significantly larger than reality. This technique is not new and has been employed in various contexts, including the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy to portray the hobbits as miniature in comparison to other characters.
Incredible photo of terrifying ‘human-sized’ bat is not fake… but still may not be quite as it seems https://t.co/LxFzk8EHhW
— The Sun (@TheSun) July 7, 2020
A Concern for Endangered Species
While the attention-grabbing photo sparked fascination online, it is essential to address a more critical issue. The giant golden-crowned flying fox is classified as an endangered species due to deforestation and poaching for food. The survival of these remarkable creatures is threatened, and conservation efforts are crucial to their preservation.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that even if this bat were genuinely massive, there would be no cause for alarm. These gentle giants are herbivorous, primarily feeding on figs and occasionally consuming leaves.
These extraordinary bats are native to the Philippines and were initially identified as three subspecies. Unfortunately, one of the subspecies has already become extinct, underscoring the urgency of protecting the remaining populations.