Large Flying Fox
Pteropus vampyrus
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderChiroptera (Bats)
- FamilyPteropodidae (Old World Fruit Bats)
- GenusPteropus (Flying-foxes)
- SpeciesPteropus vampyrus (Large Flying Fox)
About the Large Flying Fox
The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), also known as the greater flying fox, Malayan flying fox, Malaysian flying fox, large fruit bat, kalang, or kalong, is a southeast Asian species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. Despite its scientific name, it feeds exclusively on fruits, nectar, and flowers, like the other flying foxes of the genus Pteropus. It is noted for being one of the largest bats. As with nearly all other Old World fruit bats, it lacks the ability to echolocate but compensates for it with well-developed eyesight.
The large flying fox was one of the many mammal species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 10th edition of his Systema Naturae, receiving the name Vespertilio vampyrus. The holotype was collected on Java. Its species name "vampyrus" is derived from Slavic "wampir" meaning "blood-sucking ghost or demon: vampire". This name was chosen in reference to its "alleged blood-sucking habits", although it is entirely vegetarian and largely frugivorous.
Based on phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA, the closest relative of the large flying fox is the Rodrigues flying fox (Pteropus rodricensis). Because the genus Pteropus... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Large Flying Fox in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
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Myotis horsfieldii
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Hipposideros ater
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary | 🇲🇾 Malaysia | |
| 2 | Kerinci Seblat National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 3 | Komodo National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 4 | Khao Sok National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 5 | Bali Barat National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 6 | Gunung Leuser National Park | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
| 7 | Danum Valley Conservation Area | 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Large Flying Fox in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Large Flying Fox sighting in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, based on 28 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Large Flying Fox in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary?
October has the highest sighting rate for Large Flying Fox in Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in our monthly data.