These “megabats” found in continental Africa are truly impressive creatures. Known as hammer-headed bats, they earn their name from the peculiarly elongated, boxy heads sported by the males. These heads contain a large resonating chamber that amplifies their calls, a feature evolved due to their unique mating system.
Hammer-headed bats engage in a fascinating courtship ritual known as a lek, where up to 150 males gather twice a year to vie for the attention of females. Hanging from riverside trees, the males produce loud honks and display their wings in an attempt to impress passing females. Interestingly, females are quite selective, choosing mates from only about 6% of the males available.
The males’ calls, produced by their exceptionally large voice boxes, echo within their bodies before projecting out through their flared nostrils and pendulous lips. This elaborate head structure likely inspired their Latin species name “monstrosus,” which translates to “monstrous.”
In contrast, females have narrower muzzles and smaller bodies compared to males. Despite these differences, both sexes boast impressive wingspans of about 3.3 feet and smooth, grayish-brown fur.
While hammer-headed bats primarily feed on fruit, there have been reports of them displaying carnivorous behavior, including feeding on bird meat and drinking the blood of chickens. These observations, documented in a 1968 study, shed light on the diverse dietary habits of these intriguing creatures.
Lastly, an endearing habit of hammer-headed bats is how they wrap their large wings around their humped noses when they go to sleep, adding a charming touch to their already captivating nature.
