What kind of animal is the Indian flying fox? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Although it is a bat, many of them are large, with a wingspan of up to 2m, so they are classified as a species of flying fox, and are a very impressive type of bat.
What is the Indian flying fox? Basic stats
The Indian Flying Fox is classified as a member of the order Chiroptera and family Pteropidae. Its English name is Indian Flying Fox, and its scientific name is Pteropus giganteus. Its body length is 27cm and its weight is 1kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | インドオオコウモリ |
| English（英名） | Indian Flying Fox |
| scientific name(学名) | Pteropus giganteus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Chiroptera、 Pteropodoidea 哺乳綱、翼手目、オオコウモリ科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN～ |
| Length（体長） | 27cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1kg |
Habitat
It is distributed in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
What are their characteristics? What kind of creatures are they?
Indian flying foxes live in the forest. Many of them hang around during the day. They are completely nocturnal and go out in search of food in the evening. They can reach a maximum wingspan of 1.5m, making them a fairly large species of bat. They cannot use ultrasound to locate prey (echolocation). Their eyes are very developed because they rely on their vision to fly.
What is their ecology?
Indian flying foxes feed mainly on fruit juice, and in the evening they search for and eat fruits and juice such as mangoes and bananas. The breeding season is from July to October. They have a gestation period of 150 days and can give birth to one baby at a time. They reach sexual maturity in about a year and a half and live for about 20 years.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Indian flying foxes are natural enemies of snakes, owls, and other birds of prey.
Are Indian flying foxes an endangered species?
Indian flying foxes are not an endangered species. Because they can damage orchards, they are considered pests in many areas and are often exterminated.
Can Indian flying foxes be kept as pets?
Indian flying foxes are often considered pests, so they are not suitable for keeping as pets. They can be a nuisance to neighbors, so we recommend viewing them at a zoo.
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