Across equatorial Africa, Hypsignathus monstrosus – also known as hammerhead bats – dominate the night sky with their huge wingspan and the ability to make amazingly loud noises. As one of the largest bat species in the world, one would have thought it would pose a threat to humanity, especially given its majestic appearance.
While female hammerhead bats look similar to other bat species, males are much more recognizable due to their oversized lips and muzzle. This unique appearance has even made them dubbed as one of the “ugliest” creatures in the world.
But despite its larger-than-life presence, this bat is a vegan, relying on wild fruits native to west and central Africa.
However, hammerhead bats remain a threat in a different, perhaps more surprising way.
Unfortunately, from an epidemiological perspective, this food source sometimes does more harm than good.
Previous studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have revealed that hammerhead bats are considered the “reservoir” of the Ebola virus. The NIH reports: “Molecular testing shows that this and other African bat species are potential hosts for Ebola virus and it is one of only two fruit bat species to be epidemiologically associated with the outbreak. Ebola outbreak in Luebo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2008”.
It’s worth noting, however, that other studies have yet to pinpoint that bats are a “zero point” for the Ebola virus. So far, additional studies are being conducted by scientists to determine the true nature of Ebola transmission, according to Science, but as of 2022, there are no definitive studies linking bats to bats. Ebola transmission.
According to a study published in the Journal of Zoology, hammerhead bats are one of the only species of bats confirmed to participate in the “lek” mating system. During this mating ritual, large flocks of bats from 20 to over 120 gather to attract females.
Each male claims about 30 feet (9 meters) of territory, then hangs from a tree branch and flaps his wings while chirping 60 to 120 times per minute. Female bats fly over and will choose a male they want to mate with and land on a branch next to it. The male then makes a special sound to initiate the mating ritual with the female, then hangs himself on the branch to call for the next female.
The males will then walk away and do not help raise the young with the female. In fact, these bats do not usually congregate in large family groups, instead they often congregate in groups of less than 5 individuals.
For now, conservationists simply continue to monitor one of Africa’s most iconic bats.