👉 The aye is a specialized tool used by certain nocturnal, insectivorous bats, particularly those in the genus
Adustus
, to forage for food. It consists of a long, thin, and highly sensitive bat tooth that protrudes from the upper jaw, extending into a groove or channel. This aye-like structure allows bats to precisely locate and extract grubs, larvae, and other small prey hidden beneath the bark or soil. Once the prey is found, the bat uses its sharp tongue to lap up the insects, effectively combining a tool for digging with a probing instrument for feeding. This unique adaptation is crucial for the survival of these bats, enabling them to exploit food sources that are inaccessible to other predators.