Cave Nectar Bats roost in large, noisy colonies of hundreds or thousands.  Travelling many kilometres each night in search of the nectar of flowering trees and shrubs, this species is an important pollinator of fruit trees such as durian, the 'king of fruits'.

The dorsal fur is grey-brown and the ventral medium grey.  Around the neck the fur can be tinged yellowish-brown. The muzzle is dog-like in shape, and its tongue is long and probing.

The species ranges from northern India to southern China, and throughout Southeast Asia to Sumatra, Java and Borneo.  In Singapore the species seems to have adapted well to leafy, semi-urban habitats.

 

Figs 1 and 2 : Feeding on nectar from the distinctive flowers of Petai Parkia speciosa, Singapore.

Fig 3 : Taking nectar from the huge flower of a Banana plant, Singapore.

Figs 4 and 5 : This roost in Singapore has around 500 bats.
 

Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Pteropodidae
Species : Eonycteris spelaea

Forearm Length : up to 7.0 cm
Weight : up to 60 grams
 

References : M1, M2