The Indian flying fox bat (Pteropus giganteus) is considered one of the most astonishing creatures, as its details combine the magic of the night with the splendor of nature. He lives a mysterious, exciting life in a world that is only clearly visible during the hours of darkness.
Bats are among the creatures that have been subjected to injustice as a result of their inclusion in scary stories and legends, even though they are the most important vital members of ecosystems, because they play a major role in pest control by helping to pollinate plants and eat insects.
Let us explore together in this article from teketrek the features of this Indian bat, in terms of diving into the sea of its secrets and beauty that adds a special magic to our natural world. All you have to do is allocate 10 minutes to learn the most important information.
Where does the Indian flying fox bat live?
The Indian fox bat’s habitat is concentrated in the Indian subcontinent, where it has been observed in Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Tibet, and the Maldives, in addition to Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
It is one of the creatures that likes to roam in large colonies on open tree branches, specifically in temples or urban areas.
This bat desires to be present near human residences, water bodies, and agricultural lands, and it should be noted that the choice of habitat depends mainly on the availability of food.
It prefers small colonies more than larger ones because they remain in place for a longer period.
Scientific classification
The Indian fruit bat is one of the largest types of bats that has attracted the attention of many researchers. Based on its uniqueness, we will mention to you its scientific classification:
Scientific name: Indian flying fox
Kingdom: Animals
Scope: Eukaryotes
Phylum: Chordates
Order: Pterodactyl
Class: Mammals
Genus: fruit bats
Family: Old World bats
Family: Fruit bats
Knowing the scientific classification of this bat contributes to understanding the characteristics it possesses, and thus the possibility of studying it better.
What are the characteristics of the Indian flying fox bat?
This bat is distinguished by its possession of a set of physical and behavioral characteristics that make it unique and eye-catching, which we will mention below:
The weight of this bat reaches 1.6 kg, which is equivalent to 3.5 pounds. It should be noted that males are larger than females.
The bat has two long wings, ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length, which help it fly with great speed and accuracy. They rise from behind the second toe and from the side of the back.
The average body length of the Indian flying fox bat ranges between 15.5 and 22 cm
The Indian flying fox bat has long, round ears that help it locate prey and receive sounds. The Indian flying fox bat lacks a tragus and its length ranges between 35 and 40 mm.
The Indian flying fox bat has high efficiency in catching prey, as a result of its strong sense of hearing that helps it locate insects when flying at night.
The Indian flying fox bat does not have a tail, and it cannot walk or sit. In addition, sharp curved claws on its toes.
In addition, it has an oval-shaped skull, with a maximum length of between 71 and 75.6 mm.
The Indian flying fox bat has a prominent canine and longitudinal molars, but the upper premolar is absent. It is also characterized by the presence of thick and soft fur.
The Indian flying fox bat has eyes with cones, which enable it to see colors and recognize various patterns and shapes. He also has tendons in his feet, which helps him hang upside down without difficulty.
In short, the Indian flying fox bat is a world unto itself. The unity of its body parts in performing its role has made it a rich subject for many studies, and highlighted its great importance in preserving environmental and biological diversity.
Nutrition of the Indian flying fox bat
The Indian fox bat is known to feed individually and belongs to the list of nectar- or fruit-eating animals. At dusk, it seeks to search for ripe fruits, where it removes the fruit pulp with its pointed teeth, and the seeds of the fruits it swallows are scattered in the digestive system and spread through its droppings. If it proves its value and importance in preserving several types of plants of economic value.
In addition, this bat resorts to eating insects such as flies, caterpillars and butterflies, knowing that its diet is seasonal. It depends on mango fruits to obtain the greatest possible amount of moisture in the spring and fall, and on the ebony tree, which provides dietary fiber throughout the year. To cover his need for iron, phosphorus, fats and carbohydrates in the winter, he resorts to eating Chinese pistachios.
Reproduction stages of the Indian flying fox bat
The reproduction process of the Indian flying fox bat is one of the complex processes that occur in nature, as it follows a seasonal pattern within suitable climatic conditions for this matter, which usually occurs between the months of July and October.
At its beginning, it gathers into large colonies containing hundreds and even thousands of bats, to facilitate the reproductive process and provide protection for the young.
This species is known to be a polygamous species.
Births occur between February and May, with the gestation period lasting 4 or 5 months.
The mother gives birth to one or two newborns and bears the responsibility of taking care of the young during the first few weeks of life, so that they are weaned when they reach the age of 5 months. In addition, it must be noted that the males do not participate in the care process.
Young Indian flying fox bats can fly at the age of 11 weeks, and their reproductive maturity occurs when they reach the age of 14-18 months. The weight of their testicles increases as the days shorten, and is heavier in the months of October and November, until their weight decreases immediately after the eggs are fertilized.
The males attract the attention of the females by constantly flapping their wings in order to initiate copulation. The male chases the female for up to half an hour until the trapping process is successful. The average duration of copulation ranges between 30 and 70 seconds.
FAQs about the Indian flying fox bat
What are the dangers to which the Indian flying fox bat is exposed?
Climate change and environmental degradation are among the biggest threats facing this bat, as they have a major impact on its nests and the reduction of its food resources.
Who are the natural enemies of the Indian flying fox bat?
Snakes and predatory birds such as hawks are the most dangerous enemies of this bat.
How many years can an Indian flying fox bat spend in the wild?
The Indian fox bat can live in the wild for 10 to 15 years.
Is a flying fox a bat or a fox؟
Flying fox is a bat.
Why did the flying fox go extinct?
Because of hunting or habitat changes.
In the end, this is how we have reached the conclusion of this article in which we talked about the exciting Indian pilot fox bat in terms of distribution, scientific classification, physical and behavioral description, food and reproduction, in addition to the most important common questions revolving around it.
In short, this bat is a natural wealth that contributes to achieving balance within the ecosystem, and a wonderful example of adaptation and evolution in the world of wild animals. Let us preserve it so that it remains a beautiful and important addition to our natural world.
