Animal Profiles
Mammals

Flying fox

Pteropus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Flying foxes are fruit bats with large eyes and fox-like faces. This account follows the large flying fox of Southeast Asia, which roosts in trees and feeds on fruit, flowers and nectar.

Large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), the representative described here, photographed at Wilhelma.

Large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), the representative described here, photographed at Wilhelma.

NobbiP · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
The representative here is the large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus. It inhabits Southeast Asian forests and uses tree roosts, including mangrove areas. Its nightly feeding trips may also take it into orchards and other cultivated places.
Habitat
Rainforest, Wetlands
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Large flying foxes feed after sunset and return to communal tree roosts around dawn.

Classification

Common name
Flying fox
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Pteropus

Three things to know

  • The large flying fox roosts in trees during the day.
  • It eats fruit, flowers and nectar.
  • Roosting animals may wrap their wings around their bodies.

Habitat and range

The representative here is the large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus. It inhabits Southeast Asian forests and uses tree roosts, including mangrove areas. Its nightly feeding trips may also take it into orchards and other cultivated places.

Appearance and adaptations

A long muzzle and pointed ears give this fruit bat its familiar fox-like appearance. Dark wings surround a furry body whose colour varies with age and sex. Its long tongue helps it take nectar and reach soft fruit.

Diet and behaviour

Large flying foxes feed after sunset and return to communal tree roosts around dawn. Fruit, flowers, nectar and pollen all contribute to the diet. Individuals can return repeatedly to productive feeding trees while food remains available.

Sources

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