### Identification Commonly known as Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat, this species is a charismatic standout of the African night. It is a medium-to-large bat with a distinctive "dog-like" face, large golden-brown eyes, and a lack of a visible tail. Its fur is a soft, sandy brown to grayish-buff, but the real field marks are the conspicuous white tufts at the base of the ears. Males are slightly larger than females and possess the namesake "epaulettes"—hidden pouches on the shoulders containing long, white hairs that can be flared during courtship. To distinguish it from the similar Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat, look for its single pair of white spots on the back of the ears and specific wing venation patterns.
### Habitat & Range This adaptable species is widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, from the horn of Somalia down to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. You’ll find them in riverine forests, moist savannas, and woodlands. They have also become a staple of suburban life, frequently roosting in the dense foliage of mango trees, cluster figs, or even under the eaves of houses in well-watered gardens.
### Behaviour Unlike many bats that hide in deep caves, Wahlberg’s prefers "open" roosts in dappled light. They are moderately social, living in groups of 10 to 100. If you are near a roost at night, you cannot miss the males' rhythmic, metallic “ping... ping... ping” call, which they use to claim territory and woo mates. During these displays, they vigorously flap their wings and evert their white shoulder epaulettes to create a visual beacon in the dark.
### Diet Strictly frugivorous, these bats are essential seed dispersers. They feast on figs, guavas, and various wild berries. Rather than eating in situ, they often pluck a fruit and carry it to a nearby "dining roost," where they squeeze the juice and soft pulp into their mouths before spitting out the dry fibrous remains (pellets) and large seeds.
### Fascinating Fact The male’s "epaulettes" are not just for show; they are connected to specialized scent glands. When a male flares his white shoulder tufts, he is simultaneously pumping out a unique pheromone cocktail to signal his fitness to every female in the vicinity!