Fumos Bats

Fumos Bats are a magical species of bat that expel smoke from their mouths, much like dragon's breath. It is debated if the bats were named for the family of smokescreen spells (Fumos) or if the species named the spell. Sometimes called "Fumos Bat Flamers;" As they mature, Fumos Bats can ignite their smokey breath with fire once they reach adult age.

Physical Appearance

Young fumos bats are born pink and hairless, much like mundane species of bats. They grow into downy grey fur as juveniles which darkens as they get older. They are easily mistaken for vampire bats but have more pronounced ears and noses.

Their default coloration is a dark brown/red, with red eyes. However, fumos bats under prolonged sickness have discolorations to their fur and eyes (see HANDLING). Mature specimens can vary in size based on environmental pressures. Usually mature fumos bats are on the larger end of the micro scale for bats, like real world bats in the UK. If cared in captivity for too long or in an environment with fewer competitors, they can graduate to mega size, still keeping their oversized ears. Some are rumored to have grown to the size of the largest flying fennec foxes and even fight off dragons, but this has not been verified.

Micro bats: Vampire bat, Brown bat, Mexican Free-tailed bat, Bamboo bat, Eastern Red bat

Macro bats: Epauletted Fruit bat, Jamaican Fruit bat, Golden-Capped Fruit bat

Behaviour

Fumos bats are nocturnal. In the UK they typically remain micro size, as most native species are insectivores. Fumos bats eat insects but also blood, fruit and fire. They can only drink milk from their mothers when they are young. Young are usually raised by brood mothers until they perfect their echolocation.

The smoke they breathe is to obscure their movements and disturb rival predators. Once they graduate to fire breath they will use it to impress mates, fend off threats (including wixes) and even cook fruit to their preference.

Handling

Fire resistant gear or flame freezing spells are suggested when encountering elder fumos bats. They can also be confused by creatively applied Fumos spells, ironically. As the young can only drink milk from their mothers, a neon yellow nursing substitute has been developed to care for orphaned bats.

Fumos bats are prone to getting sick in their juvenile years. Usually this is a seasonal illness that passes. Strangely, their illnesses can temporarily alter the element of their breath, such as freezing mist instead of fiery cinders when they have a cold. The majority recover. However, since the late 2000s roughly 15% of the population has been exhibiting prolonged "elemental sickness" that affects their maturity and coloration. Some can be cured with proper care, and some carry their unusual features into adulthood affecting their fur accents, eyes and smokey breath. Most specimens under prolonged "elemental sickness" often end up in the care of specialty clinics, such as the Lovegood Sanctuary.

Examples of Elemental Sickness:

• Freezing mist, the most common exhibited, comes from reduced body temperatures, resulting in whitish-blue coloration
• Electric mist, somewhat unusual, has been spotted from unshielded electro-magnetic radiation, frequent thunderstorms and sites of ancient magical duels, resulting in a shocking-yellow coloration.
• Toxic mist, has been exhibited in two colors based on source of illness; an acidic green from plant poisonings, often from invasive species; and a horrid purple from man made pollutants (such as oil slicks or manufacturing wastes).

An ethereal "ectoplasmic mist" has been speculated for fumos bats housing in long haunted dwellings, although experimentation was swiftly banned (see LAWS).

Laws

Ministry Classification: XXX

It is considered a breach of the ban on experimental breeding to deliberately breed or inflict illnesses on fumos bats to alter the original element of their breath. There's still much research underway with magizoologists to determine if the "elemental sickness" is a disease that can be eradicated in the species, part of their natural growth, or a sign that the species is adapting into new varieties of fumos bats as their environments are impacted by human development.

Misc.

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At Absit Omen

Ligeia Canterbury has a NEWT term project caring for young Fumos Bats during Prof Rubeus Hagrid's tenure, conducting her own research into combating their elemental sicknesses.[1], [2]

References

Bat shaped statues enchanted with a fiery version of the Fumos spell were sometimes used as part of the castle defenses or practical exams at Hogwarts.

Fumos Bat Flamers were an obstacle in some Harry Potter video games, although this article treats them as an actual species of beast at Absit Omen.