The Largest Bats In The World

Bats are truly amazing creatures. They have impressive flying skills, hunt using echolocation, and are some of the most interesting creatures on earth. Though bats are often thought of as small ‘flying mice’ that live in caves and hunt at dusk, there are a number of large and even megabats species that are quite different from their small-size cousins. These biggest bats in the world range from hunting vampire bats to gentle fruit eating flying foxes, but they all have one thing in common: they have truly giant wingspans. Each of these largest bats in the world has a wingspan over a foot long, reaching up to over five feet. Learn more about them here.

1. Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (~ 5 ft)

Generally considered to be the largest bat in the world, the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus) is a truly impressive species. Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox can weigh up to 3 pounds, and have a wingspan that averages more than 5 feet across. These bats got their name from the golden fur on the tops of their heads, but are otherwise a reddish brown, like many other flying foxes. This species is endemic to the Philippines, and lives on most of the islands in that region. Their habitat consists mainly of lowland forest areas and they are very sensitive to roost disruption, preferring remote, quiet homes away from humans. Their diet is made up of fruits, and they particularly enjoy eating fig fruits. Banyan tree leaves and fruits are also favorable.

2. Madagascan Flying Fox (~ 4 ft)

The Madagascan Flying Fox (Pteropus rufus) is another of the largest bat species in the world in terms of wingspan. As their name suggests, this species is endemic to Madagascar, and the flying foxes live primarily within the rainforests along the east coast. These giant bats have a wingspan of around 4 feet, and have large bodies with dark brown fur, long pointy ears and nose, and large dark eyes somewhat-resembling a fox. Madagascan Flying Foxes are interesting in that they eat a mostly liquid diet. They consume fruit, like most other flying foxes, and drink the juice of the fruits but spit out the pulp. Because they spit out pulp and seeds, they are an important part of the ecosystem, spreading seeds and helping to populate their habitat with plants and trees. These species also eat pollen and leaves, to help balance out their diet.

3. Hammer-Headed Bat (~ 3.3 ft)

The Hammer-Headed Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus) has the largest wingspan of any bat in mainland Africa, and is by far one of the largest species in the world making it part of the megabat category. It has a giant wingspan measuring roughly 3.3 feet across. This unique bat has a very distinct look, with a large bulbous head, and large lips, looking more like a horse than a fox, as its megabat cousins do. They can also way close to a full pound, and have large powerful bodies and arms. Like most large bats, the Hammer-Head also eats fruit. Its diet consists mainly of bananas, figs and mangoes. Interestingly, they have a tongue which acts like a straw, which helps them extract the juice from the fruits they eat.

4. Spectral Bat (~ 3 ft)

The Spectral Bat (Vampyrum spectrum) has the largest wingspan of any bat in the Americas, and also has one of the largest wingspans in the world. It has a body length of around 5.3-5.8 inches, and a massive wingspan that can reach up to 3 feet. The spectral bat is also known as the vampire bat - and it is one of only nine bat species that are considered carnivores. It eats anything from insects to rodents, birds and even other bats, and is a formidable hunter. This range of this species stretches from southern Mexico to Brazil and, like most bats, this species lives a nocturnal life.

5. Franquet’s Epauletted Bat (~ 2 ft)

The Franquet’s Epauletted Bat (Epomops franqueti) is a large species of fruit bat that lives in western Africa. This species ranges in size from 5.5 inch to 7 inches in length, with a wingspan measuring up to 24 inches (or 2 feet). It has a territory that ranges from Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon, and south to Angola and Zambia. The diet of the Franquet’s Epauletted bat is mainly fruit, but also eats flowers. Because it does not hunt, it will often sit in or hang from trees while it eats, holding fruit with one of its wings. Unlike other species that live in large colonies, Franquet’s tend to live on their own, or in small groupings. They mainly live in tropical forest regions and roost within trees and shrubs. 

5. Greater Spear Nosed Bat (~ 2 ft)

The next largest type of bat, in terms of wingspan, is the Greater Spear Nosed Bat (Phyllostomus hastatus). These bats live in South and Central America, and are named for the distinct spear-like shape of their nose. They have a body length ranging between 4 and 5 inches, and a wingspan that averages nearly 2 feet. Greater Spearnosed bats roost in tree hollows and caves, in colonies of up to 1000. They are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat plants and animals. Their diet consists mainly of other vertebrates, flowers and pollen. 

7. Greater Noctule Bat (~ 1.5 ft)

The Greater Noctule Bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) is another one of the largest bats in the world, with a wingspan of around 1.5 ft on average. It has a territory that covers much of Europe, from the Iberian peninsula to Turkey though its largest population is found in Spain. Its range stretches into North Africa and West Asia. It lives mainly in deciduous forests, within tree hollows and roosts. Greater Noctule bats are also one of the few carnivorous bat species, and mainly eat birds. Surprisingly, these bats actually hunt the birds while in the air, and are speculated to be the only species that does so - rather than attacking roosting birds. Unfortunately, this species is listed as Vulnerable (specially in Spain) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 

8. Greater Horseshoe Bat (~ 1.3 ft)

The Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is one of the largest bats in the world with a wingspan measuring an impressive 1.3 ft on average. In contrast, their body size is realtiy small, measuring from around 1.4-4.3 inches in length. Horseshoe Bats are usually brown in color, though sometimes have a reddish hue. They get their name from the horseshoe shaped nose leaf on their muzzle which is speculated to assist with echolocation. This particular species of bat prefers temperate or tropical climates, and has a territory that ranges from Europe to North Africa to Central and Eastern Asia (all the way to Japan). They live in groups or colonies, in caves and rocky caverns that are damp and dark.

Each of these species is an impressive example of bat and megabat colonies. It is important to preserve the habitats and homes of these majestic flying creatures in order to keep their populations safe and thriving. Unfortunately, many suffer the negative effects of human growth and expansion, so it is only through education and action that we can protect these creatures from harm. Thankfully, some of the species continue to thrive, and efforts are being made to protect the populations and habitats of those species which are in danger so we can continue to enjoy these amazing animals.