With their fox-like faces, large eyes, and impressive wingspans, flying foxes are a striking sight in the night skies of (sub)tropical Asia, Australia, and the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
In this article, you’ll discover 10 fascinating facts about these winged giants.
1. They are among the largest bats in the world
Flying foxes truly live up to their name. Species like the Kalong (or large flying fox, *Pteropus vampyrus*) and the golden-crowned flying fox (*Acerodon jubatus*) can reach wingspans of 1.5 to 1.7 meters!
They can weigh over 1 kilogram. Although their bodies aren’t especially long (around 30 cm), their enormous wing surface area makes them true heavyweights among bats.
2. They have fox-like faces and large eyes
Unlike the often “creepy” faces of insect-eating bats, flying foxes have muzzles that resemble a small dog or fox — hence the name “flying foxes.”
They also have relatively large eyes. Unlike most microbats, flying foxes don’t rely on echolocation to navigate and find food — they depend mainly on their sight and sense of smell.
3. They don’t use echolocation
The vast majority of flying foxes do not use echolocation — the sound-based navigation system microbats use to “see” in the dark. Instead, flying foxes navigate at night using vision and scent.
The only exception is the genus *Rousettus* (fruit bats), which uses a basic form of echolocation by clicking their tongues.
4. They are frugivores and nectarivores
Flying foxes play a vital role in their ecosystems by feeding primarily on fruit, nectar, and pollen.
They eat the soft flesh of fruit and often spit out the fibers and seeds — or the seeds pass through their digestive systems intact. They use their long tongues to lick nectar from flowers. Favorite food sources include figs, mangoes, bananas, and the blossoms of eucalyptus and durian trees.
5. They are crucial pollinators and seed dispersers
Because of their diet, flying foxes are extremely important pollinators and seed dispersers — especially for night-blooming plants and trees with large fruits. As they drink nectar, their fur gets covered in pollen, which they transfer to other flowers.
By eating fruit and excreting the seeds elsewhere, they help spread and regenerate forests over large distances — sometimes covering dozens of kilometers in a single night.
6. They live in large, noisy colonies
Many flying fox species are highly social and roost during the day in large colonies. These roosts are often located in tall trees, mangroves, or sometimes caves, and may range in size from a few dozen to tens of thousands — or in rare cases, even hundreds of thousands — of individuals. These colonies are often very noisy, filled with constant chatter, screeches, and wing-flapping.
7. They can travel great distances in search of food
To find enough fruit and nectar, flying foxes often travel long distances. They can fly dozens of kilometers each night from their roosts to feeding grounds and back. This mobility makes them effective seed dispersers over wide areas, helping to maintain genetic diversity in plant populations and connect fragmented forests.
8. They hang upside down — even when resting or eating
Like most bats, flying foxes hang upside down by their feet when resting in their colonies. They use their strong claws to grip branches. They often wrap themselves in their own wings like a blanket for warmth or protection. Even while eating fruit, they often hang upside down, holding the food in their feet.
9. They are threatened by habitat loss and hunting
Many flying fox species face serious threats. Deforestation and conversion of their habitats for agriculture or urban development destroy their food sources and roosting sites. In addition, they are hunted in many regions for bushmeat, traditional medicine, or because they’re seen as pests in fruit orchards.
10. They can carry diseases — but are essential to ecosystems
Flying foxes have made headlines as potential reservoirs for certain viruses (such as Hendra, Nipah, and possibly Ebola-related viruses).
While this does pose health risks with close contact, it’s crucial to emphasize that these animals play an irreplaceable role in ecosystems. Wiping out flying fox populations would have devastating consequences for pollination and seed dispersal in tropical environments.
