Meet The Hammer-Headed Bat, The African Megabat That’s Been Dubbed One Of The World’s Ugliest Creatures
The Unique Mating Rituals Of The Hammer-Headed Bat
According to a study published in the Journal of Zoology, the hammer-headed bat is one of the only confirmed species of bat that takes part in the “lek” mating system. In this mating ritual, large groups — or leks — of bats, from 20 to well over 120, gather to attract females.
Each male claims a territory of about 30 feet, then hangs from a branch and flaps his wings while repeatedly honking as many as 60 to 120 times per minute. Female bats fly through the lek, select a male they wish to mate with, and land on the branch beside him. The male then lets out a “staccato buzz” sound, mates with the female, and hangs on the branch again, honking for the next female.
The polygynous males do not stick around to help raise their young. In fact, they don’t usually gather in large family groups at all. The roost of a hammer-headed bat typically consists of fewer than five creatures.
Thankfully, these extraordinary bats are not considered to be a threatened species, though increasing deforestation and climate change are beginning to impact their natural habitats. For now, conservationists simply continue to monitor one of Africa’s most iconic bat species.
According to a study published in the Journal of Zoology, the hammer-headed bat is one of the only confirmed species of bat that takes part in the “lek” mating system. In this mating ritual, large groups — or leks — of bats, from 20 to well over 120, gather to attract females.
Each male claims a territory of about 30 feet, then hangs from a branch and flaps his wings while repeatedly honking as many as 60 to 120 times per minute. Female bats fly through the lek, select a male they wish to mate with, and land on the branch beside him. The male then lets out a “staccato buzz” sound, mates with the female, and hangs on the branch again, honking for the next female.
The polygynous males do not stick around to help raise their young. In fact, they don’t usually gather in large family groups at all. The roost of a hammer-headed bat typically consists of fewer than five creatures.
Thankfully, these extraordinary bats are not considered to be a threatened species, though increasing deforestation and climate change are beginning to impact their natural habitats. For now, conservationists simply continue to monitor one of Africa’s most iconic bat species.
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22 February 2023
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