Malayan Flying Fox

Characteristics

As the name suggests, the head resembles that of a small fox. Females have one pair of mammae located in the chest region. Ears are simple (long and pointed) with the outer margin forming an unbroken ring. Toes have sharp curved claws. Scent glands produce a strong musky odor.

Species Specifics

The Malayan Flying Fox is the largest member of Pteropus. Head is red or russet, turns deep orange during breeding season. Males have stiffer fur and neck tufts. Females are slightly smaller.

Physical Characteristics

Large well-developed eyes for flight navigation

Ecology

Habitat

Forests, swamps, small islands near coasts

Distribution

Will travel up to 12 km from their roost site to find food.

Diet

Fruit juice from pulp squeezed in mouth. Flowers, nectar, fruits, pollen, leaves. They can eat half their body weight in food daily

Ecological Web

Bats are very important pollinators and seed distributors.

Activity and Behavior

Activity Pattern

Roost in emergent trees. Fly nightly up to 50 km to reach feeding grounds.

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

Feeding groups of up to 50. Roosting colonies however can be much larger. The largest known colony in Subic Bay has 20,000 individuals. Territorial over the best trees - swinging, growling to discourage others from landing.

Reproductive Behavior

One male with a small harem of females. Synchronous birthing.

Offspring

Usually single birth. Twins are rare. Born in March-May. Suckle for 2-3 months. Carried for first few days, then left in roost tree. Nearly mature after 3-4 months

Conservation

Status

Listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Historical

Colony size has greatly reduced in modern times. In the past, colonies of up to 52,000 individuals were found. Now in some places in Thailand, this species hasn't been seen in 100 years. Smaller colonies of 3,000 individuals are found in other parts of Thailand.

Current Threats

Our Role

Yearly donation to Lubee Bat Conservancy

Support Lubee Bat Conservancy. Support Bat Conservation International (BCI).