Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat
Epomophorus wahlbergi
Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderChiroptera (Bats)
- FamilyPteropodidae (Old World Fruit Bats)
- GenusEpomophorus (Epauletted Fruit Bats)
- SpeciesEpomophorus wahlbergi (Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat)
About the Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat
Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi) is a species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. It is commonly found across southern Africa. Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat is brown to tawny colored with white hair patches at the base of the ears. Males are typically darker in coloration than females. This species is named for erectable epaulettes of hair that form around large scent glands in males only. Males are also distinguished from females by air sacs on the neck that may increase the volume of courtship calls. Scent glands are located near the white ear patches in both sexes. Wings are broad as compared to other bat species. Adult wingspan is 510–600 mm (20–24 in) and 456–540 mm (18.0–21.3 in) for males and females, respectively. Adults weight 54–125 g (1.9–4.4 oz).
The eyes of E. wahlbergi are large. Ears are simple, oval-shaped, and lack a tragus. The nose is also simple, but the lips are highly folded and expansible. Skulls are 44–57 mm (1.7–2.2 in) and 41–49 mm (1.6–1.9 in) long for males and females, respectively.
Species of the genus Epomophorus can be distinguished from other megabats (Family Pteropodidae) by their eponymous white... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat in Addo Elephant National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 5 | Tsavo East National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 6 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat in Addo Elephant National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat in Addo Elephant National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat in Addo Elephant National Park in our monthly data.