Epaulard vs large flying fox

Orcinus orca compared with Pteropus vampyrus

Key Differences

• Epaulard is Data Deficient while large flying fox is Near Threatened.
• Epaulard is carnivore while large flying fox is herbivore.
• Epaulard is 4909.1x heavier than large flying fox.
• Epaulard lives longer (50 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Epaulard	large flying fox
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Chiroptera (Bats)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)
Genus	Orcinus (Orcas)	Pteropus (Flying Foxes)
Species	Orcinus orca	Pteropus vampyrus

Evolutionary Relationship

Epaulard and large flying fox share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Epaulard

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

large flying fox

NT — Near Threatened

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Epaulard	large flying fox
Diet	Carnivore	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	50 years	15 years
Average Length	8.0 m	30 cm
Average Weight	5.4 t	1.1 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Epaulard

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

large flying fox

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Epaulard

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.

large flying fox

The world's largest bat species, large flying foxes have wingspans reaching 1.5 meters and inhabit tropical forests from Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia. Despite the alarming name, they feed exclusively on fruit and nectar, making them vital pollinators and seed dispersers for tropical forest trees. Roost in massive colonies of thousands. Listed as Vulnerable due to hunting for bushmeat and habitat destruction.