Named after the patch of golden-tipped hairs on top of the head, the golden-capped fruit bat is the largest fruit bat in the Philippines, and one of the largest bats in the world. The ‘golden-cap’, along with an orangey-yellow region on the back of the neck, contrasts with the brownish-black fur on the other parts of the head and the reddish-brown fur on the back. The fur on the underside of the body is blackish with silvery tipped hairs. Like other species in the Pteropodidae family, the golden-capped fruit bat has a dog-like face, large eyes and simple, but conspicuous, ears.