Fauna
Mammal

Peters's Epauletted Fruit Bat

Epomophorus crypturus

Also known as Peters's Fruit Bat, Peters' Fruit Bat

Peters's epauletted fruit bats roost communally in dense riverine foliage, where their cryptic brownish fur and dog-like facial profiles blend seamlessly into dappled canopies. During mating periods, courting males erect vivid white shoulder tufts from hidden glandular pouches and emit rhythmic, metallic pinging calls that echo across the night forest for hours. By plucking ripe fruits to feed on the wing and discarding seeds far from parent trees, these bats serve as indispensable dispersers for African woodland ecosystems.

NocturnalFrugivoreMammal
Peters's Epauletted Fruit Bat reference
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySycamore Fig, Jackalberry Fruit, Wild Date Palm
Predators
  • Barn Owl
  • Genets
  • African Rock Python
ThreatsDeforestation, riparian habitat degradation, and persecution by commercial fruit growers
HabitatsRiverine forest, evergreen forest, moist woodland, and fruit orchards
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPteropodidae
  2. SpeciesEpomophorus crypturus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskModerate
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is moderate
Can carry zoonotic pathogens and bite defensively; observe roosts from a distance without touching.
Why it is dangerous
Like many bats, they can host zoonotic viruses transmissible via saliva and possess sharp canine teeth that readily puncture skin.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Identifiable by its medium size, blunt dog-like muzzle, large eyes, and white tufts at the base of each ear.
What to do
Never handle grounded or injured bats bare-handed; contact local wildlife rescue authorities for safe collection.
Responsible observation
  • Night Listening: Listen after dusk in riverine woods for the repetitive, ringing metallic pings produced by advertising males.
  • Day Roosting Etiquette: Maintain a quiet perimeter beneath known roost trees to prevent distressing resting colonies.
Related species
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