Mammals have come to conquer various areas at a global level, such as the marine and the terrestrial. However, in the aerial case, bats or bats are the only mammals that really have an active flight due to their wings, which have a certain similarity with those of birds. This is a varied group and, generally, stories have been spread about them that in many cases exceed reality. In this page of our site, we want to introduce you to one of the most peculiar bats that exists, which is known by the name of Philippine flying fox Keep reading and discover why it is a species that stands out among the flying mammals.
Taxonomic classification of the Philippine flying fox
Also known as the Philippine diademed bat or golden-headed fruit bat, to get to know the Philippine flying fox, let's first detail its taxonomic classification:
- Animalia Kingdom
- Filo: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Chiroptera
- Family: Pteropodidae
- Genus: Acerodon
- Species: Acerodon jubatus
- Subspecies: A. j. jubatus, A. j. mindanensis and A. j. lucifer (extinct)
Characteristics of the Philippine Flying Fox
Next, we are going to learn about some of the characteristics of the Philippine flying fox that make it such a peculiar bat. Among them, we highlight:
- The weight of this bat ranges from 1 kilo to 1.2 kilos approximately.
- The wingspan is 1.5 to 1.7 meters.
- Height, including head and body, can reach dimensions from 18 to almost 30 centimeters. These characteristics make it one of the largest and heaviest bats in the world.
- Males are usually larger than females. We know this trait as sexual dimorphism. You can find out more about Sexual Dimorphism: definition, curiosities and examples in this article on our site that we recommend.
- The outer ears are relatively simple.
- The ears are long and pointed.
- The snout is prominent with very little fur around it.
- The eyes are large, as well as bright. Do you have doubts about whether bats are blind? Find out the answer in this other article.
- The wings feature a claw on the second finger.
- Teeth are pointed, except for the last molars.
- Fur covers the entire body, except for the wings, around the eyes and ears.
- Color may vary as it tends to be dark brown to black on both the forehead and sides of head. The shoulders are reddish brown and darker towards the bottom. On the nape, on the other hand, there are variations from cream to golden yellow and, generally, there are yellow hairs scattered throughout the coat.
Philippine Flying Fox Habitat
The Philippine diademed bat is endemic to the Philippines region, as its name suggests. Even so, there are three islands where it is not present: the island of Palawan and the islands of Batanes and Babuyan.
Its main habitat is made up of woody areas and although it usually crosses agricultural or disturbed spaces, it does not usually perch in them. It is preferably located in hardwood trees, near cliffs, steep spaces that are very difficult for people to access. It is also present in bamboo plants, mangroves, swamp forests and other small islands near the coast.
Philippine Flying Fox Customs
A typical habit of the Philippine flying fox is that it perches with other types of bats, such as Pteropus vampyrus and Pteropus hypomelanus, the latter being more abundant in the spaces they share. Its habits are mainly nocturnal, so it leaves the colony at night to feed and usually returns before dawn. During the day, he spends most of his time sleeping and grooming himself.
Regarding the behavior of the flying fox, it should be noted that it has little interaction with other individuals, except at the time of mating. In addition, it is estimated to use visual communication and have a characteristic odor, suggesting a possible chemical communication
Philippine Flying Fox Breeding
On the reproductive aspect of the Philippine flying fox certain data are unknown, so there is a lack of studies on it. Today the exact time of gestation is not known, but the parturitions occur between April and May, in which only one calf is born. In captivity, females give birth every two years,so it is estimated that, in the wild, reproduction may be less frequent.
Females have been observed to be protective, keeping the young clinging to the fur, which is supported by their claws, while the mother fans her with one of her wings, an act that is estimated to refresh her.
Here you can find more information about How do bats reproduce?, in case you are more curious.
Philippine Flying Fox Feeding
This is a type of fruit bat, which feed mainly on Ficus such as figs. The species on which it feeds preferentially is Ficus subcordata, while to a lesser extent Ficus variegate. On the other hand, it also consumes certain types of leaves, which it crushes and swallows. Some also take advantage of certain liquids that it extracts from this part of the plants.
You can find out more about What do bats eat? in this other article.
Conservation Status of the Philippine Flying Fox
The Philippine flying fox is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with a population trend decreasing. The main threats to the species consist of:
- The destruction of its habitat: This bat is a specialist in terms of its way of feeding, so the decrease in cover plant directly affects its possibility of development due to the loss of options for feeding The deforestation of the forests in the Philippines has been a dramatic fact, since it has occurred in much of the territory. What little vegetation cover is left is expanding in high areas, where the golden-headed fruit bat is unlikely to reach.
- The direct hunting of these animals: although the commercialization of the species has decreased, it continues to be alarming, since it is still consumed as food and also for its supposed medicinal propertiesAdditionally, indiscriminate hunting has contributed considerably to the population decline.
- Tourism: is a species very sensitive to noise and disturbance, so that in some tourist areas the attendees tend todisturbing with their noises and even movements to the trees to make these bats fly. This ends up affecting the species, especially when there are females with their young.
Given all these facts, the species is protected in the Philippines and its hunting is prohibited, although this has not stopped. On the other hand, since 1995 it has been included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
