In the lush lowland forests of West and Central Africa resides a fascinating creature known as the hammer-headed bat. This species, scientifically named Hypsignathus monstrosus, stands out as the largest bat on the continent. What sets these megabats apart is their peculiar, boxy heads that amplify their calls through a large resonating chamber.
Hammer-headed bats participate in a unique mating ritual involving a lek courtship system. During these gatherings, up to 150 males come together twice a year to showcase their loud honks and wing-flapping displays in hopes of impressing the female bats. Females, on the other hand, are highly selective, choosing only about 6% of males as mates 79% of the time. The males with the loudest calls usually garner the most attention, as their honks are amplified by a massive voice box that occupies nearly half of their body cavity.
The elaborate head structure of the male hammer-headed bats inspired their Latin species name, “monstrosus,” meaning “monstrous.” These bats have gargoyle-like heads that echo their calls before projecting out through flared nostrils and pendulous lips. Interestingly, females sport narrower muzzles reminiscent of foxes and have smaller bodies compared to males.
Despite being primarily fruit-eaters, hammer-headed bats have been known to exhibit carnivorous behavior. In a study from 1968, observations were made of these bats feeding on scraps of bird meat and even killing chickens to drink their blood. This predatory behavior was documented in Gabon by a collector named Harry Andrew Beatty, who intervened to protect the chickens from the bats.
An intriguing habit of hammer-headed bats is how they wrap their large wings around their noses when sleeping. This unique behavior adds to the mystique surrounding these remarkable creatures. With a wingspan of about 3.3 feet and smooth, grayish-brown fur, hammer-headed bats continue to fascinate researchers and animal enthusiasts alike with their extraordinary features and behaviors.