Temotu flying fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temotu flying fox |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pteropus
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| Species: |
nitendiensis
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| Temotu flying fox range | |
The Temotu flying fox (Pteropus nitendiensis) is a special kind of flying fox bat. It belongs to the Pteropodidae family, which includes many types of fruit bats. This bat is only found in the Solomon Islands, making it endemic to that area.
Sadly, the Temotu flying fox is in danger. Its home is being destroyed because people are clearing land for farming. Also, natural disasters like strong tropical cyclones can harm its habitat. Because it's so rare and at risk, groups like the Alliance for Zero Extinction see it as a species that could soon disappear forever. In 2013, Bat Conservation International put this bat on its list of 35 top priority species to help save around the world.
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About the Temotu Flying Fox
Scientists learn about new animals by collecting specimens and studying them. In 1924, during a trip called the Whitney South Sea Expedition, a scientist named Frederick P. Drowne found a bat on an island called Nitendi (also known as Nendö Island). This bat was different from any other known species.
Later, in 1930, an American scientist named Colin Campbell Sanborn studied the bat. He officially described it as a new species. He named it nitendiensis after Nitendi Island, where it was found.
Family Tree of the Temotu Flying Fox
In 2014, scientists studied the Temotu flying fox even more closely. They found that it belongs to a group of flying foxes called the "samoensis" group. This means its closest relatives are other flying fox species, including:
- Vanuatu flying fox (P. anetianus)
- Makira flying fox (P. cognatus)
- Banks flying fox (P. fundatus)
- Rennell flying fox (P. rennelli)
- Samoa flying fox (P. samoensis)
- Vanikoro flying fox (P. tuberculatus)
Where the Temotu Flying Fox Lives
The Temotu flying fox lives only in the Solomon Islands. It can be found from sea level up to about 220 m (720 ft) high. It has been seen on a few specific islands within the Temotu Province. These islands include Temotu Noi, Malo, Nendö Island, and Tinakula.
Its home area is very small, covering only about 551 km2 (213 sq mi). This small range makes the bat more vulnerable to threats.
Protecting the Temotu Flying Fox
As of 2020, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists the Temotu flying fox as an endangered species. This means it faces a very high risk of disappearing from the wild.
There are several reasons why this bat is endangered:
- Small Home: It lives in a very small area, so if something bad happens there, it affects the whole species.
- Natural Disasters: Strong storms and other natural events can destroy its habitat.
- Habitat Loss: People are constantly clearing forests in the Solomon Islands for farming. This takes away the bat's home and food sources.
- Hunting: Sometimes, these bats are hunted for their meat (called bushmeat) or to use their teeth to make necklaces. They might also be killed if they are seen as damaging crops.
All these factors mean the number of Temotu flying foxes is going down. Efforts are being made to protect this unique bat and its important island home.
