Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Specy

Hammer-headed bat

Mammals

The hammer-headed bat, also called the hammer-headed fruit bat, big-lipped bat or hammerhead bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus), is a megabat widely distributed in West and Central Africa and the only member of the genus Hypsignathus. It is the largest bat in continental Africa, with wingspans approaching 1 metre, and males are almost twice as heavy as females. The sexes differ greatly in appearance, making it the most sexually dimorphic bat species in the world: males have larynges about three times as large as those of females and large resonating chambers on their faces that help them produce and amplify their voices, while females look more like a typical megabat, with fox-like faces.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Frugivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Threats
Biological Resource Use 2
Relationship to People
Agricultural or Structural Pest 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Conservation Status
Least Concern 4
Activity Pattern
Nocturnal 1
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Pteropodidae, Taxa
Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)

In Biome

Freshwater Swamp Forest, Biomes
Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)
Grassland, Biomes
Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)
Savanna, Biomes
Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)
Tropical Rainforest, Biomes
Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Angola

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Angola
Quote, Distribution, Angola
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Benin

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Benin
Quote, Distribution, Benin
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Burkina Faso

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Burkina Faso
Quote, Distribution, Burkina Faso
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Cameroon

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Cameroon
Quote, Distribution, Cameroon
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Central African Republic

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Central African Republic
Quote, Distribution, Central African Republic
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Cote d'Ivoire

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Cote d'Ivoire
Quote, Distribution, Cote d'Ivoire
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Quote, Distribution, Democratic Republic of the Congo
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Equatorial Guinea

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Equatorial Guinea
Quote, Distribution, Equatorial Guinea
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Ethiopia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Ethiopia
Quote, Distribution, Ethiopia
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Gabon

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Gabon
Quote, Distribution, Gabon
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Ghana

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Ghana
Quote, Distribution, Ghana
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Guinea-Bissau

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Guinea-Bissau
Quote, Distribution, Guinea-Bissau
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Kenya

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Kenya
Quote, Distribution, Kenya
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Liberia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Liberia
Quote, Distribution, Liberia
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Nigeria

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Nigeria
Quote, Distribution, Nigeria
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Sierra Leone

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Sierra Leone
Quote, Distribution, Sierra Leone
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Sudan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Sudan
Quote, Distribution, Sudan
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Togo

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Togo
Quote, Distribution, Togo
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Uganda

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)Distribution, Uganda
Quote, Distribution, Uganda
It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology): Animal Diversity Web: Hypsignathus monstrosus
Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology)
  • Conservation Status
    CITES No special status
  • Food Habits, Primary Diet
    Primary Diet herbivore herbivore frugivore frugivore
  • Behavior
    Average lifespan Status: wild 30 years Behavior This species is nocturnal.
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
    Negative Impacts crop pest
View the Source
2. Hammer-headed bat (Wikipedia)
  • Distribution, Gabon
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Sierra Leone
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Guinea-Bissau
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Benin
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Kenya
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Sudan
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Uganda
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Angola
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Cameroon
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Equatorial Guinea
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Central African Republic
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Ethiopia
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Togo
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Liberia
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Ghana
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Nigeria
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Burkina Faso
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Distribution, Cote d'Ivoire
    It has a wide range in West and Central Africa, including the following countries: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, and Uganda.
  • Article text, threats
    In Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is eaten by humans as bushmeat.
  • Article text, habitat
    Most records of this species occur in rainforest habitat, including lowland rainforest, swamp forest, riverine forests, and mosaics of forest and grassland.
  • Child Taxon Of: Pteropodidae, Lead
    The hammer-headed bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus), also known as hammer-headed fruit bat, big-lipped bat, and hammerhead bat, is a megabat widely distributed in West and Central Africa.
  • In Group: Bats (Chiroptera), Lead
    The hammer-headed bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus), also known as hammer-headed fruit bat, big-lipped bat, and hammerhead bat, is a megabat widely distributed in West and Central Africa.
  • In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Habitat, tropical rainforest
    Most records of this species occur in rainforest habitat, including lowland rainforest, swamp forest, riverine forests, and mosaics of forest and grassland.
  • In Biome: Savanna, Habitat, savanna
    While it has been documented in savanna habitats, these records are rare, and it has been speculated that these individuals are vagrants.
  • In Biome: Grassland, Habitat, grassland
    Most records of this species occur in rainforest habitat, including lowland rainforest, swamp forest, riverine forests, and mosaics of forest and grassland.
  • In Biome: Freshwater Swamp Forest, Habitat, freshwater swamp forest
    Most records of this species occur in rainforest habitat, including lowland rainforest, swamp forest, riverine forests, and mosaics of forest and grassland.
View the Source
3. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): GBIF species 2432958: species profile of Hypsignathus monstrosus
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)speciesProfiles
Quote, speciesProfiles
"extinct": false
View the Source
4. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): GBIF species 2432958: IUCN Red List category of Hypsignathus monstrosus
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)iucnRedListCategory
Quote, iucnRedListCategory
"category": "LEAST_CONCERN"
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.