(Rousettus aegyptiacus)
STATUS
Least Concern
SIZE
Body length: 15cm
Wingspan: 60cm
Weight: 120—150g
AGE
Up to 22 years in captivity.
HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION
They occur in a variety of habitats from valleys to mountainous areas where they find shelter in caves, rock crevices and date plantations. They are found throughout Africa and the Middle East as far as Pakistan and northern India.
WHAT THEY EAT
This species is frugivorous meaning it eats mainly fruit but will also take pollen, nectar and other plant parts.
They occur in a variety of habitats from valleys to mountainous areas where they find shelter in caves, rock crevices and date plantations. They are found throughout Africa and the Middle East as far as Pakistan and northern India.
Animal Facts
- These bats use the only form of echolocation that is audible to the human ear. This is because they do so by clicking their tongue (rather than making a noise in their larynx as other bat species do).
- In 1810, this species was found roosting in the passages of the pyramids at Giza.
- When fruit bats give birth, they remain hanging in their roosting position. After a labour of only a few minutes, the new born bat may actually hang suspended by the umbilical cord for a few seconds before finding it’s mother’s stomach. A new born bat will weigh only 22g.
- These bats can eat their own weight in fruit in just one night!
- 70% of all of the World’s fruit is pollinated solely by bats.
- To get the best hanging position, food and females, males will box using their wings. All the time making a high pitch screaming noise.
- Bats don’t like to get drunk! Scientists have shown that Egyptian fruit bats will smell the alcohol (ethanol) produced by fermenting fruit and will actively avoid it.