Spectacled Flying Fox
Pteropus conspicillatusAlso known as Spectacled Fruit Bat
Spectacled flying foxes are large, highly social megabats easily recognized by the prominent rings of pale yellow fur surrounding their eyes. They gather in massive, noisy canopy roosts called camps, where they communicate using a complex vocabulary of squeaks and screeches. These nocturnal mammals play a vital ecological role as long-distance seed dispersers and pollinators for Australia's tropical rainforests.
- diet
- Frugivorous and nectarivorous (mainly rainforest fruits, eucalyptus nectar, and blossoms)
- family
- Pteropodidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, extreme heatwaves, paralysis ticks, and conflict with fruit growers
- life Span
- 12 to 15 years in the wild
EN
Can carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus; do not handle and seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched.
Can carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus, a rabies-like virus transmitted through saliva via bites or scratches.
Never touch a live or dead bat; contact trained wildlife vaccinators if an animal needs rescue.Listed as Endangered due to severe population declines from habitat clearing and catastrophic heatwave events.
Avoid entering roosting camps during the breeding season to prevent mother-pup separation.- Observe from a distance: Watch their spectacular fly-outs at dusk from a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the camp.
- Report injured bats: Contact local wildlife rescue if you find a bat on the ground or caught on a fence.
- Keep pets away: Ensure dogs and cats are kept indoors at night when bats are feeding in backyard trees.