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Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Pteropodidae
Species : Pteropus vampyrus
Forearm Length : up to 20 cm
Weight : up to 1.1 kg
Pteropus vampyrus,
the Large Flying Fox, is one of the largest species of bat in the world,
although a few other species of Pteropus and Acerodon are
larger and heavier.
The impressive wingspan of this species may reach 1.5 metres, and the wings
appear very broad when in flight.
This species roosts in large, noisy colonies, often in mangrove. Large
flocks of many hundreds are known to migrate great distances in search of
fruiting or flowering trees, sometimes on a seasonal basis.
Their diet comprises nectar and fruit including cultivated fruits such as
mango and rambutan, and the species plays a role in pollination of durian
flowers.
Its wings are dark in direct light, but reddish-orange when backlit by
sunlight: grey streaks may be present. The back of the head, neck and mantle
have woolly, orange-brown fur. The underparts are blackish brown. The skull
and brain case are elongated.
This impressive species of bat occurs in the south of the four countries of
Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Its range extends through
Peninsular Malaysia to much of Indonesia (excluding Sulawesi and areas
further east) and Timor-Leste, and there are scattered populations in the
Philippines.
In Singapore this flying fox sometimes appears in small groups but not on
an annual basis, however in June 2020 a large flock was observed in the central
forests of Singapore Island.
Figs 1 to 3 : This temporary roost in
Singapore comprised more than 100 bats, some roosting singly and others
grouped closely together.
Fig 4 : The impressive wingspan of this flying fox can reach 1.5 metres.
Fig 5 : Circling above a potential roost, early one morning in Singapore.
Photo thanks to Sabrina Jabbar.
Video: Bat activity at a
roost in Singapore at dusk.
References :
Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second
Edition. New Holland. 416 pp.
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