
Photographed at Bogor Botanic Gardens,
Java, Indonesia.

Typical wing shape of Pteropus sp. in flight.
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The various Pteropus
species are the world's largest bats, and the Large Flying Fox Pteropus
vampyrus can reach a wingspan of almost 1.5 metres. Despite the
'vampire' name these huge bats are fruit and nectar eaters.
The Large Flying Fox
roosts in trees in large colonies, sometimes comprising hundreds of
individuals. They are a key part of some forest ecosystems; whilst sipping
nectar they pollinate the flowers of fruit trees, including durians.
This species ranges from
Burma, Thailand, Indochina and Peninsular Malaysia to Sumatra, Borneo, Java
and the Philippines. There are no known roosts in Singapore, but visits by
small flocks from neighbouring countries occur when there are trees fruiting
in the Central Catchment Forest.
Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Pteropodidae
Species : Pteropus vampyrus
Wingspan : up to 1.5 metres
Forearm Length : up to 20 cm
Weight : up to 1.1 kg
References : M1, M2
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