Swift fruit bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swift fruit bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Thoopterus
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| Species: |
nigrescens
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| Swift fruit bat range | |
| Synonyms | |
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The swift fruit bat (Thoopterus nigrescens) is a type of megabat. It belongs to the Pteropodidae family, which includes many fruit bats. These bats are known for eating fruit and nectar.
About the Swift Fruit Bat's Name
The swift fruit bat was first officially described in 1870. A British zoologist named John Edward Gray gave it its first scientific name. He placed it in a group called Cynopterus.
The first bat specimen was found on an Indonesian island called Morotai. It was collected by a famous scientist named Alfred Russel Wallace. Later, in 1899, a German zoologist named Paul Matschie suggested a new subgroup for this bat. By 1912, another scientist, Knud Andersen, decided that this subgroup should be a full genus. That's how the swift fruit bat got its current genus name, Thoopterus.
What Does the Swift Fruit Bat Look Like?
The swift fruit bat is a medium-sized bat. Its head and body together measure about 94 to 109 millimeters (3.7 to 4.3 inches) long. Its forearm, which is part of its wing, is about 70 to 82 millimeters (2.8 to 3.2 inches) long.
These bats usually weigh between 67 and 99 grams (2.4 to 3.5 ounces). Their fur is a grayish-brown color.
Where the Swift Fruit Bat Lives
The swift fruit bat lives only in Indonesia. This means it is endemic to that country. You can find it on several Indonesian islands. These include Sulawesi, Buton, Mangole, and Wawonii. It also lives in the Talaud and Sangihe island groups. It probably lives on Morotai Island too.
These bats can live in many different places. They are found from sea level up to 2,400 meters (about 7,900 feet) high in the mountains. They seem to prefer forests that have not been disturbed by humans. However, they can also live in forests that have seen some changes.
