Rescued bat goes viral for looking like Mater from Cars

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A bat rescued from barbed wire is becoming an internet sensation because people say it looks just like Tow Mater from the movie Cars!

A photo taken by Jasmine Vink – an Australian ecologist, wildlife photographer, and bat rescuer – is suddenly becoming popular online, almost a year after she originally took it.

In May 2025, Vink rescued and cared for a female tube-nosed bat that had become tangled in barbed wire. In an Instagram post about the incident, Vink explained the bat was in danger of going into shock and seriously injuring her wings.

I wasn’t sure she’d be released, but she’s been practicing flying incredibly well. There are a few small things to work through, but I’m now much more hopeful she’ll be able to return to the wild soon, where she belongs.

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A post shared by Jasmine Vink (@jasmine_vink)

The photo Vink shared of the small animal quickly gained attention online, largely because of its cute, toothy grin and seemingly peaceful, blank stare.

Tube-nosed bat’s funny face goes viral a year after rescue

Almost a year after it was originally shared, a photo is going viral online because people have noticed a funny resemblance between the woman’s charming smile and slightly prominent teeth to the character Tow Mater from Disney’s Cars movies.

“I’m head over heels for that silly little face!” one user wrote on X.

“What a little cutie, oh my god,” another said.

People pointed out that Mater actually dressed up as a vampire in one of the Cars movies, which made the resemblance even more striking.

Coincidentemente ele já se fantasiou de vampiro kkk

— 𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖈𝖔𝖘☁️¹⁹⁹⁴ (@kinhoF_1994) March 14, 2026

Some people actually thought the small bat resembled Crash Bandicoot more than Mater. It’s easy to see similarities to both, though!

The Eastern tube-nosed bat is a medium-sized bat that eats fruit, nectar, flowers, and pollen. This diet makes it a vital part of its environment, helping to pollinate plants and spread seeds.

Tube-nosed bats are easily recognized by their distinctive, upward-pointing nostrils. They typically prefer to roost by themselves or in small colonies. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently considers them to be a species of ‘least concern,’ meaning they aren’t facing immediate threats.

A kitten recently became an online sensation due to her unusual, balloon-like appearance. Fortunately, veterinarians were able to treat the condition, and she’s now back to normal.

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2026-03-17 00:20