Mammal · GBIF taxon 2432948
Geoffroy's Rousette
Rousettus amplexicaudatusAlso known as Geoffroy's Fruit Bat, Common Rousette
Geoffroy's rousettes are medium-sized fruit bats renowned for forming massive cave colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands or even millions. Unlike most fruit bats, members of this genus use primitive echolocation driven by rapid tongue clicks to navigate pitch-black subterranean roosts. At nightfall, vast swarms emerge into the surrounding canopy, serving as vital seed dispersers and pollinators across tropical archipelagos.
NocturnalCave DwellerFrugivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Wild Figs
- Banana Nectar
- Papaya
Predators
- Reticulated Python
- Barn Owl
- Asian Palm Civet
ThreatsCave disturbance, guano mining, bushmeat hunting, and deforestation
HabitatsTropical moist lowland forests, caves, agricultural orchards, and coastal woodlands
Life span15–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPteropodidae
- SpeciesRousettus amplexicaudatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Can carry transmissible viral pathogens and may deliver a sharp defensive bite; observe from outside cave roosts.
- Why it is dangerous
- Fruit bats are natural reservoirs for zoonotic viruses and can inflict deep puncture wounds if handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by greyish-brown fur, canine-like facial features, and loud clicking sounds in dark caves.
- What to do
- Never touch or handle grounded or roosting bats; report injured individuals to local wildlife rescuers.
Responsible observation
- Roost Etiquette: Keep silent and avoid shining white flashlights directly onto roosting bats inside caves.
- Emergence Watching: Position yourself near cave mouths at dusk to watch dense swirling emergence flights.
Image unavailableSame Genus Frequent Companion 
Predator (c) Rushen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Same Family (c) Pirataber, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pirataber · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.