Mammal
Large Flying-fox
Pteropus vampyrusAlso known as Large Flying Fox, Malayan Flying Fox
The Large Flying-fox is an immense fruit bat with a foxlike face, long pointed wings, and a dark body often contrasting with a warmer mantle. Colonies roost openly in tall trees by day and stream outward at dusk to feed across wide areas.
Fruit BatColonial RoostLong-distance Flyer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFleshy plant foods, flower nectar, pollen, and juices from native forest trees
Predators
- Large pythons
- Sea eagles
- Humans
ThreatsHunting, roost destruction, deforestation, persecution, power lines, and unsustainable harvest
HabitatsTropical forest, mangroves, coastal woodland, plantations, gardens, and large communal roost trees
Life spanOften more than 15 years, with some individuals living beyond two decades
Classification
- OrderChiroptera
- FamilyPteropodidae
- GenusPteropus
- SpeciesPteropus vampyrus
Native
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Flying foxes can bite and carry pathogens; never handle one or contact saliva, urine, or injured animals.
- Why it is dangerous
- A frightened bat can inflict deep bites, and exposure to saliva or other body fluids may transmit serious pathogens.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a very large tailless bat with a foxlike face, pointed wings, and contrasting shoulder mantle.
- What to do
- Never touch a live or dead flying fox; isolate people and pets and call trained wildlife professionals.
- What to notice
- Large evening silhouettes leave exposed communal tree roosts, while resting bats show long pointed wings and foxlike faces.
- Support conservation
- Observe from outside the roost, avoid noise and lights, and keep precise colony locations from public posts.
Responsible observation
- Dusk: Watch commuting silhouettes from outside the roost's drop zone.
- Distance: Never stand beneath, enter, or disturb a daytime colony.
- Injury: Contact trained wildlife and public-health professionals about grounded bats.
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Moonlight Marvels
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