Flickerbat

Flickerbats are aerial organisms that are indigenous to the Phendrana Drifts region of Tallon IV. While they are colored a pale blue, they use optical camouflage to render themselves nearly invisible to the naked eye. It is believed that their name stems from the way that they seem to "flicker" in and out of the visible spectrum. This camouflage is used to both protect them from potential predators as well as keep their prey from seeing their attack strafes, allowing them to, presumably, conserve more energy (assuming that the optical camouflage adaptation does not require tremendous energy in the first place).

The species have fairly small wings in comparison to their body size, and as such they must flap their wings at a rapid rate in order to achieve the lift necessary for flight. They spend their entire lives tirelessly flying non-stop in cyclical hunting patterns, using primitive sonar to navigate, likely meaning that they possess a melon organ within their head. Flickerbats hunt for insectoid organisms as well as other small prey that float on the air currents of the Phendrana Drifts. While they are generally harmless to passersby, the occasional accidental collision between a sapient being and a Flickerbat has been known to occur.

Scientists have thus far only been able to reliably track Flickerbats through the use of x-ray imaging.

Appearances

 * Metroid Prime