Island Flying Fox

Characteristics

Naked dorsal tibia makes it unique from other Pteropus. Pale patch of fur on chest. Head is furred in dark brown to yellowish brown. Males are larger in size.

Species Specifics

Physical Characteristics

This species has strong senses of smell, hearing, and sight. They primarialy use smell and vision for finding food.

Ecology

Habitat

Forests, orchards, coconut palm groves. Island endemic.

Distribution

Will travel 8 km from roost site for food.

Diet

Feeds on wild and cultivated fruit in both primary and secondary tropical forests and rural gardens and plantations.

Ecological Web

Bats are very important pollinators and seed distributors.

Activity and Behavior

Activity Pattern

Behavior

During hot days, this species will flap its wings, lick its chest, and pant to cool off. During cool or rainy weather, they will completely wrap both wings around their body to conserve body heat.

Social Behavior

Will form colonies of up to 5,000 individuals.

Reproductive Behavior

Many females will form a harem with one male during the breeding season. During the gestation period, pregnant females will group together and care for one another. Birth during April and May.

Offspring

Single birth.

Conservation

Status

Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, however in the Philippines it may be Near Threatened because of human predation and habitat loss. Listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Historical

The historical trends of this species are not known for South Asia.

Current Threats

Our Role

Yearly donation to Lubee Bat Conservancy