Flying- Fox

Genus Pteropus

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Description

41 genera and about 170 species.

The family is composed of

They are also called fruit bats, old world fruit bats or megabats.
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The smallest species is

2.4 in long

and the largest attain a wingspan of

5.6 ft.

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The giant

golden-crowned ying fox (Acerodon jubatus) is one of

the largest species of bat in the world.

They are found throughout tropical and sub-tropical Asia and Australia and on islands of the Indian and western Pacic Oceans.

Location

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Habitat

Tropical forests and swamps.

Behavior
Flying-foxes are intelligent, social and nocturnal.

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Senses
Their sense of smell is

excellent

do not use echolocation.

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Unlike the little bats, ying-foxes

They are vocal animals; more than 30 di!erent calls have been recorded in some species.

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Diet
They are frugivorous and nectarivorous.
All species of ying foxes only feed on nectar, blossom, pollen, and fruit.

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Many species form harems consisting of 1 dominant male and up to 37 females. Bachelor males roost separately. After ve months of pregnancy, the female gives birth to a single o!spring.

Reproduction

Average of 15 years in the wild.

Up to 30 in captivity.
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Interesting Fact

Never handle a ying-fox. A small percentage of bats carry a disease that can be passed to humans

Only experienced and vaccinated people can touch fruit bats.

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Predators
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Birds of prey, snakes, lizards and human. Larger species of ying foxes are hunted for their meat.

Conservation Status
5 extinct
10 species as critically endangered 39 species 19 species as 15 species as endangered near threatened as vulnerable

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