The hammerhead fruit bat is a strange bat with a dog's face.
Evolution has given birth to many strange creatures, the reality of which is sometimes difficult to believe. One of these animals is the hammerhead fruit bat. This African bat is not only the largest among its relatives, but also has an unusual appearance. Her head resembles that of a dog, making the animal look like a flying Doberman.
The scientific name of the hammerhead fruit bat is Hypsignathus monstrosus. It belongs to the fruit bat family, which includes other bats known as flying dogs. Of course, these animals have nothing in common with man’s best friends, except for their faces.
This unusual animal lives in the tropical forests of Africa. Despite their terrifying appearance, hammerhead fruit bats are not bloodthirsty. They feed exclusively on fruits, preferring juicy fruits. In search of food, fruit bats are ready to travel up to 10 km per night. Yes, precisely during the night, because, as befits chiropterans, they are nocturnal.
Hammerhead fruit bats have an excellent appetite, because they require a lot of energy to fly. Judge for yourself - the length of the animal’s body reaches 30 cm, despite the fact that nature deprived them of a tail. The wingspan of males, which are twice as large as females, can reach 90 cm, and the weight of the fruit bat itself is only about 450 grams.
Seeing a hammerhead fruit bat for the first time can be terrifying for even a brave person. This is facilitated not only by the frightening appearance of the flying dog, but by the loud, otherworldly sounds that this animal makes. He has two air sacs in his larynx that act as resonators, and the larynx itself makes up half the length of the spine. But this “equipment” is not designed to intimidate, but, on the contrary, to attract attention.
In principle, the unusual shape of the head of these animals is precisely responsible for the sound effects. The muzzle of these animals is a kind of megaphone, enhancing the already powerful sound. It's like a goose cackling and laughing at the same time. However, only males have vocal abilities - they need them to find a mate. Therefore, the females' faces are not so massive, and they are more similar to other flying dogs.
Fruit bats live in large groups of 30 to 120 individuals. A pair of fruit bats usually gives birth to only one baby, but it is difficult to call it helpless. The baby is covered with fur and has very tenacious paws. Until the winged wing learns to fly, it clings to the mother's fur, which moves at a dizzying height.
Oddly enough, the main natural enemy of the hammerhead fruit bat is humans. Bushmen willingly hunt these animals and know many recipes for their preparation. But we would not recommend tasting these dishes or even touching fruit bats, alive or dead. According to research, this species is one of the carriers of the deadly Ebola virus.