Fruit bats have a good sense of smell. Scent marking is done by individuals marking territory, and sexually receptive individuals may release chemical signals into the air. They also have very good vision, which they rely upon to find food. They are nocturnal (active at night) and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). They are social and gregarious. They can form huge colonies. There is a dominance hierarchy among males. Usually only females roost in groups, while males most often roost by themselves. Usually they roost in the same tree for many generations.
Description
Their wingspan is up to 3'. Males are slightly larger than females. Their coloration varies and includes black, silver, yellow, orange, and red. They have fox-like faces, large eyes, and large, widely spaced ears. They have no tail and a large thumb for climbing.
Status in the Wild
They are critically endangered in the wild. They are endemic to the island of Rodrigues, where the population is threatened by habitat loss and by severe storms. They are no longer found on the island of Mauritius.
Conservation Programs
Adopt a Rodrigues Fruit Bat