Banks flying fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banks flying fox |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pteropus
|
| Species: |
fundatus
|
 |
|
| Banks flying fox range | |
The Banks flying fox (Pteropus fundatus) is a special kind of bat. It's a megabat, which means it's one of the larger bats. This amazing animal lives only in Vanuatu, a country made of islands. It likes to live in warm, wet places. These include dry forests and swamps in tropical areas.
This small fruit bat is about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. It has grey and brown fur on its head and back. Its neck is a bright yellow-orange, and its belly is yellow-gray. The Banks flying fox loves to eat. Its favorite foods are coconut flowers and the fruit from Vaveli trees. These foods are easy to find in its tropical home.
Contents
About the Banks Flying Fox
How it Got its Name
Scientists first described the Banks flying fox in 1972. It was named by Felten and Kock. Its common name comes from the Banks Islands. These are the islands in Vanuatu where this bat is found.
What it Looks Like
The Banks flying fox is a fairly small flying fox. Its forearm, which is part of its wing, is about 100 to 102 millimeters long. That's about 4 inches.
Where it Lives
The Banks flying fox lives only in Vanuatu. This country is in Oceania, a region of islands in the Pacific Ocean. You can find this bat on just two islands: Mota and Vanua Lava. It prefers to live in areas close to sea level.
Protecting the Banks Flying Fox
Why it Needs Help
The Banks flying fox is an endangered species. This means there are not many of them left. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed it as endangered in 2008.
Because it's in danger, the Alliance for Zero Extinction has identified it as a species that could disappear very soon. In 2013, Bat Conservation International added this bat to its list of 35 top priority species for conservation around the world.
Threats to the Bat
One big threat to the Banks flying fox is overhunting. In 2016, a study showed that this bat is one of the mammals most at risk from too much hunting. People are working hard to protect these special bats. They want to make sure the Banks flying fox can continue to fly in the skies of Vanuatu for many years to come.
