Real or Fake? Giant Bat in the Philippines Confirmed

A photo of a large bat in the Philippines was posted on Twitter in 2020, causing many to believe it was fake. It was later confirmed to be a real golden-crowned flying fox, one of the largest bats in the world. These bats primarily eat figs and leaves, and live for 10 to 30 years in the wild. They are threatened by deforestation and hunting for bushmeat, and their population has declined since the late 1800s. All bat species are important for the ecosystem as they help with insect control and pollination.

[faraht]

These bats eat figs and leafs.

Me: Thank God.

[zora]

Now I understand where the legends of vampires turning into bats comes from…😂

[jinrax]

Imagine going outside at night and seeing this bat hanging around

[alaindelon]

I think that bat can only be found in the Northern part of Luzon...been to Sierre.Madre mountains way back late sixtees and saw it with my own eyes and was shock how big it is.

[jenniferanngarcia]

They are beautiful! I love them. It's so sad that some people don't get educated on these animals.

[phh.]

When I was in Palawan with a group of friends, I told them I saw a large bat as big as a little boy when I was looking for firewood. They didn't believe me and said that I was exaggerating.

The same night, my friend's boyfriend saw it too when he was peeing. He was running and screaming like a little girl with his unzipped pants 😂

[JustKicks-mojp]

When I first saw this when I was young. I was so terrified as it might chase me. Later realized that they just eat fruits. It looks like an adult cat in person.

[ethanoahx]

They might look terrifying but they are usually harmless and often eats fruits.

[cynthiatucker]

Wow that is really something. It looks huge but only weighing 3 lbs?!

[doncorleone]

Good thing these bats are not located in Australia cause they might become man-eating bats 😂

[Lotusblume.]

These are the cutest bats on earth. They look like little dogs and are fruit bats. You have to see them sucking on a dummy or eating a pice of banana or grapes. They’re like little adorable babies. I love them! 💕

[kaybegreen]

Once you see that, you’ll understand why people believe in vampires.

[lindywinn]

I hope they have conservation efforts to save and protect the species.

[flyaway]

We have Chico’s which is majority of the fruit bats in the Philippines eat because they are super sweet. They eat any sweet fruits, but I never seen fruit bats this big.

[ws]

I think people at the old time believed Vampire exists because of this animal

[Quackywq]

its harmless and they're probably the reason the manananggal folklore exists because someone probably mistook it

[wavemaker]

That bat looks like dracula out there sleeping because the sun is still up.

[rainierdy]

That bat is what we call a flying fox, that is real and it is the largest species of an extant bat! 😉👌

[encrumusic]

now imagine at night a bat this big fly above your head must be terrifying😨

[IgsuonPol]

They are excellent seed dispersers and are the silent reforesters.