Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Pteropodidae
Species : Penthetor lucasi

Forearm Length : up to 6.2 cm
Weight : up to 44 grams

Penthetor lucasi (Dusky Fruit Bat) is an uncommon species which occurs in lowland and lower montane forests. By day it roosts in colonies in dark rock crevices and quiet caves.

It is primarily a fruit eater, generally flying away from the fruit-bearing tree to consume its meal elsewhere. The specimen illustrated in Figure 1 was found consuming a succulent forest fruit in a secluded stream gully, but many Dusky Fruit Bats will take their food right back to their cave roost.

Its fur is short and grey-brown, and the chest and belly are more pale than the back. The fur on the head is slightly longer, and dark brown. The wings are dark brown to black.

Its head is of typical fruit bat shape, with a dog-like muzzle, and large eyes. The ears are dark-edged.

The Dusky Fruit Bat ranges from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the Riau Archipelago, Borneo and Sumatra.

Fig 1 : A Dusky Fruit Bat quietly consumes a forest fruit in a secluded stream gully at Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia (elevation 1000 metres).

Fig 2 : A roosting group in a lowland cave at Taman Negara, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Photo thanks to Law Ing Sind.

Note : The bats in these images are tentatively identified as Penthetor lucasi based on the dark fur on the head and dark wings. Very sparse fur is noted on the nape and upper back.


References :

Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second Edition. New Holland. 416 pp.

Payne, J., Francis, C.M., 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. The Sabah Society.