Big-eared flying fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big-eared flying fox |
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The big-eared flying fox (Pteropus macrotis) is a type of bat. These bats are quite large. They mostly eat fruits. You can find them in places like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and some islands near Australia. They usually live in areas below 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) high, often near the coast in mangrove forests.
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What is a Big-Eared Flying Fox?
The big-eared flying fox is a unique bat. It belongs to a group of bats called Pteropus. These bats are known for being larger than many other bat species. They are also sometimes called the large-eared flying-fox.
How Was This Bat Discovered?
A German scientist named Wilhelm Peters first described this bat in 1867. He gave it the scientific name Pteropus macrotis. The very first bat of this kind that scientists studied was found on Buru, an island in Indonesia.
What Does Its Name Mean?
The name macrotis comes from Ancient Greek. The word makrós means "long," and oûs means "ear." So, Pteropus macrotis literally means "long-eared bat." This name perfectly describes one of its most special features!
Appearance of the Big-Eared Flying Fox
This bat is one of the smaller species within the Pteropus group. However, it is still a good size!
How Big Are They?
Their forearm length is usually between 143 and 157 millimeters (about 5.6 to 6.2 inches). Their head and body together can be from 180 to 240 millimeters (about 7 to 9.4 inches) long. These bats typically weigh between 315 and 425 grams (about 0.7 to 0.9 pounds).
What Do They Look Like?
The fur on their body is mostly dark brown. However, their shoulders and some parts of their belly fur have a yellowish color. Their ears are very long and pointy. They measure about 30 to 37 millimeters (about 1.2 to 1.5 inches) from the bottom to the tip.
Life and Habits of the Big-Eared Flying Fox
These bats have interesting diets and can be found in specific places.
What Do They Eat?
The big-eared flying fox mainly eats plants. Their diet includes various fruits. They also enjoy the blossoms (flowers) from trees, including those from coconut trees.
Where Do They Live?
You can find these bats on the island of New Guinea. This includes parts in both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. They also live on other islands nearby, such as Salawati and the Aru Islands Regency in Indonesia. In Australia, they are found on Boigu and Saibai islands. They prefer to live in forests, including tropical moist forests, dry forests, and monsoon forests. They usually stay in areas below 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) above sea level.
