Animal Talk with Pecker: The Megabat (Flying Fox)

This terrifying freakshow looks like it emerged from the depths of hell. It’s a megabat, more specifically a flying fox. Bats of the genus Pteropus, belonging to the megabat suborder, are the largest bats in the world.






The largest of these monstrosities are the aptly named large flying fox and giant golden-crowned flying fox. With a wingspan of up to 5 1/2 feet and a body with the proportions of a small dog, we're lucky these flying beasts only eat fruit. As with all megabats, these species have a fox-like face, hence the name. The flying fox has a large and robust skull with large teeth relative to its size. The wings are short and somewhat rounded at the tips. This allows them to fly slowly, but with great maneuverability.





The largest species of flying fox can be found in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, with ranges from Malay Peninsula, to the Philippines in the east and Indonesian Archipelago of Sumatra, Java, Borneo and Timor in the south.










Flying foxes do not possess echolocation, a feature which helps the other suborder of bats, the microbats, locate and catch prey such as insects in midair. Instead, they possess a great sense of smell and strong eyesight. Flying foxes inhabit primarily forest, mangrove forest, coconut groves, mixed fruit orchards, and a number of other habitats. During the day, trees in mangrove forests and coconut groves may be used as roosts. Flying foxes can roost in the thousands. One colony was recorded numbering around 2,000 individuals in a mangrove forest in Timor and colonies of 10,000-20,000 have also been reported. This species primarily feeds on flowers, nectar and fruit (such as mangoes and bananas).





Their interactions with humans are mostly peaceful, but they have been known to become aggressive and will claw, bite, and otherwise attempt to intimidate humans when feeling threatened. Ebola virus is widespread among flying foxes and a bite or scratch can pass the infection. These bats are listed as endangered in some areas, which I don't tend to believe, or necessarily see as a bad thing considering I find them terrifying.




I would like to do the right thing and tell you to gather your friends and family and tell them to spread the word and do their part to help protect this majestic creature, but unlike the caracal and mandrill, this creature is not majestic and I'd probably hit it with a baseball bat if one came near me.

Nevertheless, join me in celebrating the flying fox!