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| | range_map_caption = Straw-coloured Fruit Bat range | | range_map_caption = Straw-coloured Fruit Bat range | ||
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| The '''straw-coloured fruit bat''' (''Eidolon helvum'') is the most widely distributed of all the African ]s. It is quite common throughout its area ranging from southwestern ], forest and ] zones of |
The '''straw-coloured fruit bat''' ('''''Eidolon helvum''''') is a large ] that is the most widely distributed of all the African ]s. It is quite common throughout its area ranging from the southwestern ], across forest and ] zones of ] and ]. They have recently been classified as ] on the ] due to a decreasing population trend. Straw-coloured fruit bats travel in massive ] of at least 100,000 bats and sometimes massing up to 1 million. Their necks and backs are a yellowish-brown colour, while their undersides are tawny olive or brownish. | ||
| ==Appearance== | ==Appearance== | ||
| The straw-coloured fruit bat got its name from the silky yellowish or straw colour of its exterior. The wings are black, and the back hair is pale and tawny. Males are generally bright orange and females are usually yellowish. The bats have large cheeks, eyes, and ears. The average weight of these bats ranges from {{convert|8|to|12|oz|g|abbr=on}} and the animals grow to {{convert|5.7|to|9|in|cm|abbr=on}} in length, with wings spanning up to {{convert|30|in|cm|abbr=on}}. Males are generally larger than females. The bat's heart is very large, and its wings are long and |
The straw-coloured fruit bat got its name from the silky yellowish or straw colour of its exterior. The wings are black, and the back hair is pale and tawny. Males are generally bright orange and females are usually yellowish. The bats have large cheeks, eyes, and ears. The average weight of these bats ranges from {{convert|8|to|12|oz|g|abbr=on}} and the animals grow to {{convert|5.7|to|9|in|cm|abbr=on}} in length, with wings spanning up to {{convert|30|in|cm|abbr=on}}. Males are generally larger than females. The bat's heart is very large, and its wings are long and tapered at the tip. The cheeks of the bat are also large and pouch-like.<ref>{{dead-link|date=April 2012}}</ref> | ||
| ==Lifestyle== | ==Lifestyle== | ||
| The straw-coloured fruit bat is a highly social species. The bats tend to live in groups of over 100,000 and at times that number may increase to almost one million. |
The straw-coloured fruit bat is a highly social species. The bats tend to live in groups of over 100,000 and at times that number may increase to almost one million. At night the bats leave the roost in smaller groups to find food by sight and smell. They have also been seen chewing on soft wood for moisture. These bats can also ] flowers and ] through the forests. They are the main agents of seed dispersal for the increasingly rare and economically significant African ] tree '']''.<ref>Taylor, D. A. R. et al. Northern Arizona University School of Forestry.</ref> | ||
| Although they feed at night, straw-coloured fruit bats are not necessarily ]. During the day, they will be found resting moving |
Although they feed at night, straw-coloured fruit bats are not necessarily ]. During the day, they will be found resting and moving among the colony. Year to year, season to season, the bats will return to the same place that they found food the previous year or season. | ||
| ==Diet== | ==Diet== | ||
| The diet of |
The diet of straw-coloured fruit bats varies depending on whether or not they are living in captivity. Wild bats usually eat bark, flowers, leaves, ], and fruits. In captivity, they are fed various mixes, including apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and cantaloupe. In some zoos they are also fed a ] diet.<ref></ref> | ||
| == |
==Distribution== | ||
| ''Eidolon helvum'' is the most widely distributed fruit bat in Africa, and perhaps the world. It appears mainly in Africa, mostly among the ], in many forest and savanna zones, around the southwestern Arabian peninsula, and in Madagascar. |
''Eidolon helvum'' is the most widely distributed fruit bat in Africa, and perhaps the world. It appears mainly in Africa, mostly among the ], in many forest and savanna zones, around the southwestern Arabian peninsula, and in Madagascar. It can also be found in urban areas and at altitudes up to {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It prefers tall trees for roosting. | ||
| ==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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| Straw-coloured fruit bat | |
|---|---|
| |
| Conservation status | |
 Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Division: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mamalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Pteropodidae |
| Genus: | Eidolon |
| Species: | E. helvum |
| Binomial name | |
| Eidolon helvum Kerr, 1792 | |
| |
| Straw-coloured Fruit Bat range | |
The straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) is a large fruit bat that is the most widely distributed of all the African megabats. It is quite common throughout its area ranging from the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, across forest and savanna zones of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. They have recently been classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List due to a decreasing population trend. Straw-coloured fruit bats travel in massive colonies of at least 100,000 bats and sometimes massing up to 1 million. Their necks and backs are a yellowish-brown colour, while their undersides are tawny olive or brownish.
Appearance
The straw-coloured fruit bat got its name from the silky yellowish or straw colour of its exterior. The wings are black, and the back hair is pale and tawny. Males are generally bright orange and females are usually yellowish. The bats have large cheeks, eyes, and ears. The average weight of these bats ranges from 8 to 12 oz (230 to 340 g) and the animals grow to 5.7 to 9 in (14 to 23 cm) in length, with wings spanning up to 30 in (76 cm). Males are generally larger than females. The bat's heart is very large, and its wings are long and tapered at the tip. The cheeks of the bat are also large and pouch-like.
Lifestyle
The straw-coloured fruit bat is a highly social species. The bats tend to live in groups of over 100,000 and at times that number may increase to almost one million. At night the bats leave the roost in smaller groups to find food by sight and smell. They have also been seen chewing on soft wood for moisture. These bats can also pollinate flowers and disperse seeds through the forests. They are the main agents of seed dispersal for the increasingly rare and economically significant African teak tree Milicia excelsa.
Although they feed at night, straw-coloured fruit bats are not necessarily nocturnal. During the day, they will be found resting and moving among the colony. Year to year, season to season, the bats will return to the same place that they found food the previous year or season.
Diet
The diet of straw-coloured fruit bats varies depending on whether or not they are living in captivity. Wild bats usually eat bark, flowers, leaves, nectar, and fruits. In captivity, they are fed various mixes, including apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and cantaloupe. In some zoos they are also fed a marmoset diet.
Distribution
Eidolon helvum is the most widely distributed fruit bat in Africa, and perhaps the world. It appears mainly in Africa, mostly among the sub-Saharan climates, in many forest and savanna zones, around the southwestern Arabian peninsula, and in Madagascar. It can also be found in urban areas and at altitudes up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It prefers tall trees for roosting.
Notes
- Arkon Zoo Information on Straw Colored Bats
- Taylor, D. A. R. et al. The role of the fruit bat, Eidolon helvum, in seed dispersal, survival, and germination in Milicia excelsa, a threatened West African hardwood. Northern Arizona University School of Forestry.
- Oregon Zoo Information on Straw Colored Bats
References
Mickleburgh, S., Hutson, A.M., Bergmans, W., Fahr, J. & Racey, P.A. 2008. Eidolon helvum. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. www.iucnredlist.org.
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