---
title: "Hammer-Headed Bat Facts, Diet and Mating Calls"
description: "Learn why male hammer-headed bats have broad muzzles and enlarged voice boxes, what they eat and how their unusual courtship works."
canonical: "https://uglyanimals.net/animals/hammer-headed-bat/"
locale: "en"
content_type: "animal_profile"
primary_entity: "Hammer-headed bat"
scientific_name: "Hypsignathus monstrosus"
---

# Hammer-headed bat: facts, fruit diet and booming mating calls

The hammer-headed bat is a large African fruit bat with one of the strongest sex differences among bats. Adult males have broad muzzles, large lips and enlarged vocal anatomy used to produce resonant courtship calls.

## Quick facts

- **Scientific name:** Hypsignathus monstrosus
- **Animal type:** Large fruit bat
- **Range:** Forests and river systems of West and Central Africa
- **Diet:** Primarily fruit, especially figs and other soft fruit
- **Mating system:** Lek displays in which males call and females choose
- **Distinctive feature:** Male's enlarged muzzle and vocal tract
- **IUCN status:** Least Concern

## What is a hammer-headed bat?

This species is a megabat and fruit eater, not a blood-feeding bat. It occurs across parts of West and Central Africa, often near forest, swamps and rivers where fruiting trees are available.

Females have a more typical fox-like fruit bat face. The extreme hammer shape belongs mainly to mature males and is linked to reproduction rather than everyday feeding.

## Why do males have hammer-shaped heads?

Male anatomy includes an enlarged larynx, resonating spaces and broad lips. Together these structures help produce loud honking calls that carry through nighttime display areas.

The large voice box occupies substantial body space. The face therefore looks disproportionate because sexual selection has favoured sound production, not because the bat needs a broader mouth to eat larger prey.

## How does hammer-headed bat courtship work?

Males gather in display arenas called leks, space themselves along branches and call repeatedly. Females fly through the area, assess callers and choose a mate.

This system concentrates competition in sound and display. It helps explain why male and female bodies diverged so strongly even though both depend mainly on fruit.

## What do hammer-headed bats eat?

They feed largely on fruit and may travel between fruiting trees. By carrying or digesting fruit they can disperse seeds, linking an unusual face to ordinary forest processes.

The species is assessed as Least Concern across a broad range. Hunting and habitat change may still affect local populations, and images of harvested bats should not be mistaken for evidence that the species is naturally aggressive.

## Conservation status: Least Concern

The hammer-headed bat remains widespread enough for a Least Concern assessment. Forest loss and hunting can still matter locally, especially around predictable roosts and display sites.

## Related animals

- [Angolan free-tailed bat](https://uglyanimals.net/animals/angolan-free-tailed-bat/)
- [Proboscis monkey](https://uglyanimals.net/animals/proboscis-monkey/)
- [Bald uakari](https://uglyanimals.net/animals/bald-uakari/)

[See more mammals](https://uglyanimals.net/animals/mammals/)

## Related habitats and adaptations

- **Habitat:** [Forests and river margins](https://uglyanimals.net/habitats/forests-river-margins/)
- **Adaptation:** [Senses and signals](https://uglyanimals.net/adaptations/senses-signals/)
- **Adaptation:** [Flight and movement](https://uglyanimals.net/adaptations/flight-movement/)

## Sources

- [Bat Conservation International: Hypsignathus monstrosus](https://www.batcon.org/bat/hypsignathus-monstrosus/): Identity, distribution and conservation overview.
- [Animal Diversity Web: Hammer-Headed Fruit Bat](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hypsignathus_monstrosus/): Sexual dimorphism, lek behaviour, diet and vocal display.