This isn’t a scene from a horror movie, it’s a very real bat!

The giant golden-crowned flying fox is one of the largest bat species on Earth, boasting a wingspan that can reach up to 5.5 feet (about 1.68 meters).

Despite its somewhat spooky appearance, this fruit-eating bat is totally harmless to humans. In fact, it plays a massive and crucial role in pollination and keeping forests in the Philippines healthy. As a frugivore, it is vital for seed dispersal across wide areas, maintaining forest biodiversity.

Still, if you saw one hanging upside down in the wild, you’d definitely look twice! Its dramatic appearance is a strong reminder of the immense and often surprising diversity found in nature.