The hammerhead fruit bat - a strange bat with a dog-like face (6 photos)

Evolution has given rise to many strange creatures, some of which are hard to believe are real. One such animal is the hammerhead fruit bat. This African bat is not only the largest of its relatives, but also has a unique appearance. Its head resembles a dog's, giving it the appearance of a flying Doberman.





Nightmare

The scientific name of the hammerhead fruit bat is Hypsignathus monstrosus. It belongs to the fruit bat family, which includes other bats known as fruit bats. Of course, these animals have nothing in common with man's best friend except their faces.



This unusual animal lives in the tropical forests of Africa. Despite their frightening appearance, hammerhead fruit bats are not bloodthirsty. They feed exclusively on fruit, preferring juicy ones. In search of food, they are willing to travel up to 10 km per night. Yes, per night, because, as befits bats, they are nocturnal.





Hamlet-headed fruit bats have an excellent appetite, as they require a lot of energy to fly. Judge for yourself – their body length reaches 30 cm, despite the fact that nature has deprived them of a tail. The wingspan of males, which are twice as large as females, can reach 90 cm, and the fruit bat itself weighs only about 450 grams.



Even the bravest person can feel terrified upon seeing a hammerhead fruit bat for the first time. This is not only due to the bat's frightening appearance, but also to the loud, otherworldly sounds it produces. Its larynx contains two air sacs that act as resonators, and the larynx itself is half the length of its spine. However, this "equipment" is not designed to intimidate, but rather to attract attention.

The Personal Life of a Hammerhead Fruit Bat

Basically, the unusual shape of these animals' heads is precisely what produces their sound effects. Their muzzle acts as a kind of megaphone, amplifying the already powerful sound. It resembles a goose's honk and a roar of laughter combined. However, only males have vocal abilities—they need them to find a mate. Therefore, females' faces are not as massive, and they resemble other fruit bats more closely.



Females are less intimidating.

Flying bats live in large groups of 30 to 120 individuals. A pair of fruit bats usually has only one young, but it's hardly helpless. The baby is covered in fur and has very tenacious paws. Until the young bat learns to fly, it clings to its mother's fur, who flies at dizzying heights.



Oddly enough, the hammerhead fruit bat's main natural enemy is humans. Bushmen eagerly hunt these animals and know many recipes for preparing them. However, we would not recommend tasting these dishes or touching fruit bats, alive or dead. Research suggests that this species is one of the carriers of the deadly Ebola virus.