🦇

large flying fox

Pteropus vampyrus

Near Threatened ↓

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

15 years

Length

30 cm

Weight

1.1 kg

Trend

↓ Decreasing

About

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.

Fun Facts

✨ Despite the name, they eat fruit, not blood.
✨ They can fly 50 km in a single night to find food.

Habitat & Distribution

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.

🌲 Forest

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

🇮🇩 Indonesia 🇲🇾 Malaysia 🇵🇭 Philippines 🇹🇭 Thailand

Diet & Behavior

🌿

Herbivore

large flying fox is classified as herbivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🌿 Herbivore

Plant matter 100%

Conservation Status

NT Near Threatened

Population Trend

↓ Decreasing

Full Taxonomy

Pteropodidae (Fruit Bats)

Genus

Pteropus (Flying Foxes)

Species

Pteropus vampyrus (large flying fox)

Names in Other Languages

Spanish Zorro Volador De Cuello Rojo

Vietnamese Dơi ngựa lớn

Indonesian Bengkawat (Kalimantan)

Thai Kang Kao Mae Kai

Similar Species in Pteropus

Admiralty Flying Fox

Pteropus admiralitatum

Black-bearded Flying Fox

Pteropus melanopogon

Endangered

Black-eared flying fox

View all species in Pteropus →

Explore More

Compare Species

vs Admiralty Flying Fox vs Aldabra flying fox vs Banks Flying Fox vs Big-eared Flying Fox

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of large flying fox?

The scientific name of large flying fox is Pteropus vampyrus. It belongs to the genus Pteropus.

What is the conservation status of large flying fox?

large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is decreasing.

Where does large flying fox live?

large flying fox is found in Distributed across Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.. Countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand.

What family does large flying fox belong to?

large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) belongs to the genus Pteropus, which is part of the taxonomic family Pteropodidae.

What does large flying fox eat?

large flying fox is herbivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does large flying fox live?

large flying fox has an average lifespan of approximately 15 years in the wild.

What kingdom does large flying fox belong to?

large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) belongs to the kingdom Animalia (Animals).

What are the closest relatives of large flying fox?

The closest relatives of large flying fox in the genus Pteropus include Admiralty Flying Fox, Aldabra flying fox, Banks Flying Fox, Big-eared Flying Fox, Black-bearded Flying Fox.