A sociable species, Rodrigues fruit bats hang out together (upside down) in rain forest trees. The Fruit Bat falls into the category of the Megabat and sometimes they are called the Flying Fox in some locations. Introduction. The Egyptian fruit bat is the only megabat whose range is mostly in the Palearctic realm; it and the straw-colored fruit bat are the only species found in the Middle East. A highly social species, Rodrigues fruit bats congregate together in large roosting groups, though when they depart in the evening to feed, their behavior is more solitary. Previously uninhabited by humans, Rodrigues was discovered by Europeans in the mid-1600s. In our cozy Bat House in Nairobi Village, a camp of Rodrigues fruit bats observes guests from an upside-down perspective! Produced in dermal scent glands and rubbed onto nearby branches, leaves, and other bats, fruit bat musk is a potent scent believed to aid bats in identifying each other in social interactions. Their fur is thick and dark brown in color and their heads are covered with golden brown mantles that vary in size and color. Fruit bats live in large colonies; within these colonies males establish small colonies containing several females. They are one of the 60 largest bats in the world which are referred to as flying foxes. These cute little creatures weigh about one pound.Also called flying foxes, Rodrigues fruit bats live only on Rodrigues Island in the Indian Ocean. They are also a source of food for the bats diet, which consists of leaves, flowers, and fruit. To support bat conservation, we have partnered with the Rodrigues Environmental Educator Programme. At the roost, breeding males monitor harems of eight to 10 females, while non-breeding males roost elsewhere. They are critically endangered. We hope to establish a small breeding colony here. Status in the Wild. Of the approximate 1,100 species of bat that live worldwide, the Rodrigues fruit bat was until recently one of the most endangered. We hope to establish a small breeding colony here. About Rodrigues Fruit Bats. Before its numbers were threatened by habitat destruction, storms, and hunting, some of those groups could number 500 or more members. Rodrigues fruit bats are only found in forests on the island of Rodrigues, near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. These bats are covered with a thick brownish-black fur. They have fox-like faces, large eyes, and large, widely spaced ears. The bats are most active at sunrise, sunset, and at night. The Rodrigues Fruit Bat is one of a number of large bats that are often referred to as “Flying Foxes” due to the size and shapes of the animals head, which are fox-like in appearance. The Rodrigues fruit bat is only found on the island of Rodrigues in the western Indian Ocean. The Rodrigues fruit bat prefers large, contiguous tracts of woodland with mature trees for its habitat. These species of bats depend on their keen sense of smell and eyesight for finding food and do not use echolocation like many of their smaller relatives. They roost in large groups during the day. The trees are needed for roosts and protection against the frequent cyclones that occur in the area.

With their relatively short, broad wings, shaped for maneuverability, Rodrigues fruit …

These species of bats depend on their keen sense of smell and eyesight for finding food and do not use echolocation like many of their smaller relatives. They are critically endangered in the wild.