The Hammer-Headed Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus) is a megabat that lives in lowland areas like rainforests, swamp forests, riverine forests, and grasslands. They are distributed throughout Central and West Africa, and they are the largest bat species in continental Africa. Males and females differ slightly in appearance; males have boxy heads and large lips, and females have narrower snouts and more foxlike faces. Both adult male and female bats have dark brown fur that is paler on the sides and back of the neck. The ears are triangular, and the black-brown eyes are very large. As frugivores, the Hammer-Headed Bat mostly eats figs, mangos, bananas, and guavas.
The Hammer-Headed Bat has a wingspan in the range of 27.2”-38.2” (69-97 cm) and total weight of .5-1 lb (230-450 g). The body of the Hammer-Headed Bat has a body length between 7.5”-11” (19-28 cm) and estimated hanging height of 9.8”-14.2” (25-36 cm). The typical lifespan of the Hammer-Headed Bat is between 12-30 years.
The Hammer-Headed Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus) is a megabat that lives in lowland areas like rainforests, swamp forests, riverine forests, and grasslands. They are distributed throughout Central and West Africa, and they are the largest bat species in continental Africa. Males and females differ slightly in appearance; males have boxy heads and large lips, and females have narrower snouts and more foxlike faces. Both adult male and female bats have dark brown fur that is paler on the sides and back of the neck. The ears are triangular, and the black-brown eyes are very large. As frugivores, the Hammer-Headed Bat mostly eats figs, mangos, bananas, and guavas.
The Hammer-Headed Bat has a wingspan in the range of 27.2”-38.2” (69-97 cm) and total weight of .5-1 lb (230-450 g). The body of the Hammer-Headed Bat has a body length between 7.5”-11” (19-28 cm) and estimated hanging height of 9.8”-14.2” (25-36 cm). The typical lifespan of the Hammer-Headed Bat is between 12-30 years.