African Straw-Colored Fruit Bat

Scientific Name: Eidolon Helvum

Order: Mega Chiroptera (large bats)

Family: Pteropodidae

Conservation Status

About

The African straw-colored fruit bat is the second largest bat on the African continent and the most widely distributed of the African fruit bats.

Their long, pointed wings are built for endurance and make them strong fliers. Their wingspan can reach up to three feet and this trait allows them to travel long distances. Colonies of African straw-colored fruit bats can range anywhere from thousands to even millions! Their large colonies can be found in many areas such as trees, rocks, and caves.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Habitat HQ

Arrived at EPZ: 06/19/2014

Habitat & Range
Straw-colored fruit bats reside mainly in Africa among the sub-Saharan climates. They can also be found in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula and Madagascar. They inhabit forest and savannah zones and prefer tall trees for roosting.
Identification
Named for its silky yellow body, straw-colored fruit bats have long, black wings, large ears, and large eyes. They are relatively large, weighing 8 to 12 ounces and measuring up to 9 inches.
Diet
Straw-colored fruit bats feed on a variety of bark, flowers, leaves, nectar and fruit.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Breeding season typically occurs between April and June. Due to a process known as delayed implantation, development doesn’t begin until October. A single birth occurs between February and May.
Fantastic Fact
African straw-colored fruit bats have the ability to pollinate flowers and assist in scattering seeds throughout their migration area, which is vital to sustaining our ecosystem.

African Straw-Colored Fruit Bat

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact