Flying Fox

3. Another common name for flying fox is fruit bat. Flying foxes belong to a Another common name for flying fox is fruit bat. Flying foxes belong to a
group of mammals called Chiroptera, which means hand-wing. A bats wing group of mammals called Chiroptera, which means hand-wing. A bats wing
is its hand. The hand has elongated fingers with a thin membrane of skin is its hand. The hand has elongated fingers with a thin membrane of skin
stretched between them.stretched between them.
There are 173 different species of fruit bats found in tropical and subtropical There are 173 different species of fruit bats found in tropical and subtropical
areas of the old world. Some of the places where fruit bats are abundantly areas of the old world. Some of the places where fruit bats are abundantly
found are Africa, Asia, Indonesia, and Australia. Fruit bats are often the only found are Africa, Asia, Indonesia, and Australia. Fruit bats are often the only
mammals on oceanic islands.mammals on oceanic islands.
Fruit bats come in many different sizes, the largest is the Malaysian flying Fruit bats come in many different sizes, the largest is the Malaysian flying
fox fox Pteropus vampyrusPteropus vampyrus it's wingspan is over 51/2 feet, to the smallest the it's wingspan is over 51/2 feet, to the smallest the
Blossom bat Blossom bat Syconycteris AustralisSyconycteris Australis for Australia and New Guinea, it can fit in for Australia and New Guinea, it can fit in
the palm of your hand. the palm of your hand.
Many fruit bat's faces look like small dogs, but some have very unique Many fruit bat's faces look like small dogs, but some have very unique
features like tubular noses, hammer shaped head, facial stripes, there is features like tubular noses, hammer shaped head, facial stripes, there is
even a group of fruit bats from the Solomon Islands with very small ears even a group of fruit bats from the Solomon Islands with very small ears
which gives the bat an appearance of having a monkey face.which gives the bat an appearance of having a monkey face.

8. Most fruit bats roost in trees, some of the large species of Most fruit bats roost in trees, some of the large species of PteropusPteropus and and
AcerodonAcerodon form large groups, these groups are called camps. Other fruit form large groups, these groups are called camps. Other fruit
bats species roost in caves and hollow trees, while other species are very bats species roost in caves and hollow trees, while other species are very
secretive and live among the leaves or build tents out of plants.secretive and live among the leaves or build tents out of plants.
Flying foxes eat fruit, flowers and nectar, they find their food by sight and Flying foxes eat fruit, flowers and nectar, they find their food by sight and
smell. Fruit bats may fly over 20 mile to reach it's feeding grounds. smell. Fruit bats may fly over 20 mile to reach it's feeding grounds.
Rainforest plants and trees depend on fruit bats for pollination and seed Rainforest plants and trees depend on fruit bats for pollination and seed
dispersal. Flying foxes help insure that there will always be there.dispersal. Flying foxes help insure that there will always be there.
Fruit bats usually give birth once a year, but some species give birth twice a Fruit bats usually give birth once a year, but some species give birth twice a
year. Fruit bat mothers have one offspring at a time, but twins sometimes year. Fruit bat mothers have one offspring at a time, but twins sometimes
occur, the babies are born with soft fur and their eyes are closed, a young occur, the babies are born with soft fur and their eyes are closed, a young
flying fox is called a pup. Young fruit bats learn to fly at the age of 3 flying fox is called a pup. Young fruit bats learn to fly at the age of 3
months, at which time they accompany their mothers on their nightly months, at which time they accompany their mothers on their nightly
foraging to learn how to locate food and what they can eat. Fruit bats can foraging to learn how to locate food and what they can eat. Fruit bats can
live up to 25 years in captivity.live up to 25 years in captivity.