Straw-Colored Fruit Bat

scientific name

Eidolon helvum

size

Weight. 8½+ oz
Wingspan. 20-24" (?)
very large

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. wings black " back hair pale & tawny " male ruff generally bright orange " nocturnal
Cheeks. pouches large
Heart. very large
Wings. long " tip tapered & pointed

behavior

Activity. leaves roost as darkness falls
Climb. active
Defense. flies in daylight when disturbed
Feeding. noisy
Flight. very strong " can fly long distance " sometimes found 125 mi. out to sea
Migrate. throughout range in search of fruit
Roost. large " may have 100s of thousands

reproduction/life span

Breed. Apr-June
Implantation. Oct
Birth. Dec-Feb " 1 " twins rare

habitat/range

forest " especially tall trees " Sub-Saharan Africa

population

250,000 near Kampala (Uganda) in Sept

status

not even threatened (?)

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Rain Forest