Rodrigues flying fox

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Rodrigues flying fox
A Rodrigues flying fox in Zurich Zoo

A Rodrigues flying fox in Zurich Zoo

Systematics
Superordinate : Laurasiatheria
Order : Bats (chiroptera)
Family : Fruit bats (Pteropodidae)
Tribe : Actual fruit bats (Pteropodini)
Genre : Pteropus
Type : Rodrigues flying fox
Scientific name
Pteropus rodricensis
Dobson , 1878

The Rodrigues flying fox ( Pteropus rodricensis ) is a species in the genus Flying Fox in the family of bats . It is endemic to Rodrigues , an island in the Indian Ocean that belongs to Mauritius . Due to its limited range, hunting, habitat loss, and threat from storms, the species is critically endangered.

features

The Rodrigues flying fox reaches a weight of 350 grams and a wingspan of 90 cm. The ear length is about two centimeters. The fur is pretty short almost everywhere. The flight membrane between the thighs (interfemoral skin) is clearly visible in flight. The hairless ears are triangular and bluntly pointed. The species has many shades of color. On the head, back, chest and stomach, the fur can be yellowish, orange and red, or even silver and black. It's a little lighter on the neck. The wings are dark brown.

ecology

The natural habitat are the tropical coastal forests. The fruit bats live in groups, sleep in large groups during the day and search for food at night. They feed primarily on fruits whose pulp they squeeze. Their food crops include tamarinds , rose apples , mangoes , palm fruits and figs . In captivity, one dominant male gathers a harem of up to 10 females around him, with whom he rests and mates. Juvenile males gather to rest on the edge of the colony.

status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the species as "critically endangered" due to hunting, loss of natural habitat and storm losses. The population in the wild is only a few hundred specimens left. The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has established a conservation breeding program. The Organization for Bat Conservation is funding an international project.

Zoos

There are now colonies in the Philadelphia Zoo , Prospect Park Zoo , Brookfield Zoo , Oregon Zoo , Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid, San Diego Zoo Safari Park , Disney's Animal Kingdom , Copenhagen Zoo , Belfast Zoo , Curraghs Wildlife Park , Dublin Zoo and others. The largest colony lives in Chester Zoo .

literature

Web links