Mammals
Hammerhead Bat
Hypsignathus monstrosus · also called hammer-headed bat
A loud, honking call rings out through the rainforest canopy as a male hammerhead bat advertises for a mate, his strikingly oversized, box-shaped head housing a voice box large enough to fill much of his chest.
Overview
The hammerhead bat, Hypsignathus monstrosus, is a Least Concern mammal native to rainforest habitat across Central Africa. Its dramatically enlarged male head, powerful honking calls used in courtship, and status as one of Africa’s largest bats make it one of the most visually and acoustically distinctive bats found anywhere.
A head built for sound, not sight
The male hammerhead bat’s unusual head shape exists almost entirely to accommodate an oversized voice box, a specialised adaptation that lets him call loudly enough to attract females from a considerable distance across the dense rainforest canopy.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable rainforest habitat throughout Central Africa.
Hammerhead Bat: common questions
Why does the male hammerhead bat have such a large head?
Its enlarged, box-shaped head houses an oversized larynx that fills much of the chest cavity, allowing the male to produce loud honking calls used to attract females over long distances, a trait not found in females.
Do male and female hammerhead bats look the same?
No, males have a strikingly enlarged, box-shaped head, while females retain a more typical, smaller bat head, making the two sexes easy to tell apart at a glance.
What does the hammerhead bat eat?
It is a herbivore, feeding mainly on fruit, particularly figs.
Where is the hammerhead bat found?
It is native to rainforest habitat across parts of Central Africa.