Flying Fox.

Flying Fox. Class Mammalia Order Chiroptera Family Pteropodidae Genus Pteropus Names young: pup group of flying bats: flock group of roosting bats: colony group of bats leaving the roost: emergence Conservation Concerns Some species are endangered by deforestation and hunting. Range Southern Asia, northern Australia, Madagascar, and the South Pacific. Habitat Flying foxes are found in forests and swamps, often near coastal areas. They usually roost in trees. Size Largest: The Malayan flying fox can weigh more than 1 kg (2.2 lb), with a wingspan up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft). Smallest: The little golden-mantled flying fox weighs about 200 g (7.05 oz), with an average wingspan of 50 cm (20 in). Feeding Habits Flying foxes are herbivores; they mainly consume fruit juice, nectar, and pollen. Offspring The female flying fox typically gives birth to a single pup after a gestation period of 120 to 180 days. Life Span About 30 years in captivity, less in the wild. Did You Know Flying foxes play a major role in spreading seeds and pollinating many rain forest plants. Some flying foxes drink sea water to get vital minerals. Unlike most bats, many species of flying fox rely on sight, rather than echolocation, to navigate during flight. Flying foxes are sometimes killed for medicinal purposes--some people believe bat fat is a cure for rheumatism. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.