What kind of animal is the Indian flying fox? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Although it is a bat, many of them are large, with a wingspan of up to 2m, so they are classified as a species of flying fox, and are a very impressive type of bat.
What is the Indian flying fox? Basic stats
The Indian Flying Fox is classified as a member of the order Chiroptera and family Pteropidae. Its English name is Indian Flying Fox, and its scientific name is Pteropus giganteus. Its body length is 27cm and its weight is 1kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | インドオオコウモリ |
| English（英名） | Indian Flying Fox |
| scientific name(学名) | Pteropus giganteus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Chiroptera、 Pteropodoidea 哺乳綱、翼手目、オオコウモリ科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN～ |
| Length（体長） | 27cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1kg |
Biological classification (taxonomy)
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 綱 | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） |
| 目 | 翼手目（Chiroptera） |
| 亜目 | オオコウモリ亜目（Yinpterochiroptera） |
| 科 | オオコウモリ科（Pteropodidae） |
| 属 | オオコウモリ属（Pteropus） |
| 種 | Pteropus medius |
Habitat
It is distributed in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
- Geographic Distribution (Where Can They Be Found?)
Indian flying foxes are widely distributed, primarily in South Asia.
Main Distribution Countries
India (almost all of the country)
Pakistan
Nepal
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
It is one of the most common large bats in South Asia.
- Habitat (Where Do They Live?)
Basic Environment
Tropical to subtropical climate
Lowlands to mid-mountain areas (up to approximately 1,000m above sea level)
Specific Habitats
Forests (evergreen and deciduous forests)
Rivers and wetlands
Rural areas
Urban suburbs and urban parks
👉 They have adapted to human habitats and are not “reclusive animals.”
- Roosts (Daytime resting areas)
Roosts are an important element that characterizes the habitat of Indian flying foxes.
Roosting Characteristics
Tall, large trees
Sunny, open areas
Large trees along rivers, at temples, or in parks
Common Tree Species
Banyan (India rubber tree)
Mango
Tamarind
Figs
👉 The sight of hundreds to thousands of individuals hanging from the same tree in groups is extremely famous in South Asia.
- Home Range and Migration
Nocturnal: Forages at night, rests in trees during the day
May fly 10-50 km or more to forage
Seasonal migrations to fruit-bearing areas (local migration)
What are their characteristics? What kind of creatures are they?
Indian flying foxes live in the forest. Many of them hang around during the day. They are completely nocturnal and go out in search of food in the evening. They can reach a maximum wingspan of 1.5m, making them a fairly large species of bat. They cannot use ultrasound to locate prey (echolocation). Their eyes are very developed because they rely on their vision to fly.
- Appearance (First Impression)
Very Large
Wingspan: Approximately 1.2-1.5m
Weight: 1-1.6kg
A size that is completely different from Japanese bats
Face
Face resembling a dog or fox (→Flying fox)
Large eyes, surprisingly many people find them “cute”
Pointed nose and relatively small ears
Body Color
Body: Dark-brown
Neck and Shoulders: Yellowish-brown to Gold
Wing Membrane: Black
- Personality and Temperament (What’s it like?)
👉 Low Aggression
Generally Gentle
Often Runs Away or Ignores Humans
Rarely Attacks Humans
However:
Bites if Prey is Near (Defensive)
Skimmings Occur Within the Flock
- Behavioral Patterns (Life Rhythms)
Daytime
Resting while hanging from large trees
Fanning and grooming
Communicating with fellow birds through vocalizations
Night
Flying en masse at sunset
Long-distance flights in search of fruit and flowers
Quiet and leisurely flight
- Diet (What do they eat?)
Exclusively herbivorous
Fruit (mango, fig, banana, etc.)
Nectar and pollen
Sucking soft flesh and spitting out fibers
👉 Not carnivorous or blood-sucking at all
- Intelligence and Sociality
Highly social
Large colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals
Clear parent-child relationships
Communicating in detail through vocalizations and body movements
Learning Ability
Memorizing foraging routes
Knowing when fruit ripens
Learns danger from experience
What is their ecology?
Indian flying foxes feed mainly on fruit juice, and in the evening they search for and eat fruits and juice such as mangoes and bananas. The breeding season is from July to October. They have a gestation period of 150 days and can give birth to one baby at a time. They reach sexual maturity in about a year and a half and live for about 20 years.
- Daily Life Rhythm (Behavioral Ecology)
Daytime (Rest)
Resting en masse while hanging upside down from the branches of large trees
Fanning their bodies with their wings to regulate body temperature
Interacting through grooming and vocalization
Preferring direct sunlight (to maintain body temperature and protect against parasites)
Evening to Night (Active)
Flying en masse just after sunset
Traveling long distances to feeding grounds
Returning to roosts before dawn
- Feeding Ecology (What and How They Eat)
Diet
Exclusively herbivorous
Fruits (mangoes, figs, guavas, etc.)
Nectar and pollen
Find ripe fruit using sight and smell
Characteristic Feeding Patterns
Chewing the flesh and consuming only the juice
Spitting out fiber (pellets)
Swallowing or dropping seeds
- Movement/Home Range
Fly 10-50km or more per night
Home range changes with the season
Regular long-distance migrations are rare; migrations are primarily localized
👉 They have excellent memories and often use roughly the same route every night.
- Social Structure (Flock Ecology)
Colony Structure
Large colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals
No clear leader
Individuals are close but organized
Communication
High-pitched calls
Wing movement and body orientation
Individual identification by scent
- Breeding Ecology
Breeding Cycle
Breed once a year
Births vary by region and season
Usually one baby
Raising
Mothers always carry their babies and move around
Lactation Period: Several months
Mother-baby relationships continue for some time after they grow up
- Lifespan and Growth
Lifespan in the wild: 15-20 years
Some examples of babies living for over 30 years in captivity
Maturity is relatively slow (several years)
👉 Large, low-birthing individuals = K-strategy species
Do they have any natural enemies?
Indian flying foxes are natural enemies of snakes, owls, and other birds of prey.
About Indian Flying Fox Hatchery
This article describes the appearance, growth, parent-offspring relationship, and ecological characteristics of Indian flying fox hatchlings (Pteropus medius).
- Characteristics at Birth
Number of Births: Usually only one bat is born.
Eyes are open at birth.
Short fur and dark brown color.
Small body, but already has long digits (wing bones).
Ability to attach firmly to mother’s nipple.
👉 A key characteristic is their ability to “hang” from the moment of birth.
- Relationship with Mother (Very Important)
From birth to a few weeks later.
Mothers fly with their hatchlings.
They are always together, day and night.
They cling to their mother’s chest and are wrapped in her wings.
👉 They have a strong grip, preventing them from falling off during flight.
- Growth Stages
1-2 Months Old
Rapid Weight Gain
Mom is increasingly left behind at the roost when she goes out to feed
Cubs gather close to each other within the colony
3-4 Months Old
Wings grow larger and begin practicing flapping
Able to glide and fly short distances
Begins nibbling on solid fruit
5-6 Months Old
Nursing ends (weaning)
Appears to be a small adult
Capable of independent foraging
- Child Rearing Characteristics
Mothers invest heavily in child rearing
Fathers are not involved in child rearing
Mothers recognize their offspring through vocalizations and scent
Mothers and offspring do not get lost even in crowded colonies
- Behavioral Characteristics of Cubs
Vocal often (high-pitched, thin voice)
Spreads wings to practice balance
Observes surrounding individuals and learns behaviors
Buries face in mother’s chest when in danger
- Survival Rate and Risks
Risks in the Wild
Falling (Immature Grasping Ability)
Predation by Raptors
Starvation and Dehydration
Artificial Deforestation and Roost Destruction
👉 Mortality Rate is Highest During the Pup Stage
Are Indian flying foxes an endangered species?
Indian flying foxes are not an endangered species. Because they can damage orchards, they are considered pests in many areas and are often exterminated.
🌍 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Assessment
Status (2024 Assessment): Near Threatened
The Indian flying fox is not classified as “endangered,” but is listed as Near Threatened due to concerns about future population declines.
“Near Threatened” means a species at risk of extinction and indicates the possibility of moving to the next Red List category.
📉 Population Trend
Overall, the population is believed to be declining. This is due to factors such as:
Habitat destruction and degradation (logging and development)
Treatment as a pest in orchards (persecution and extermination)
Electrocution from contact with power lines
Effects of extreme weather on colonies
However, due to its wide distribution (throughout South Asia) and ability to adapt to urban environments, it is not currently considered endangered.
📌 Legal Protection and Regional Differences
There are efforts to strengthen protection in some areas, and in India, legal reforms are being implemented to reassess their protected status (e.g., the 2022 Wildlife Protection Act amendments).
However, due to conflicts with humans in some areas (e.g., crop damage), they are still treated as pests in many areas.
Can Indian flying foxes be kept as pets?
Indian flying foxes are often considered pests, so they are not suitable for keeping as pets. They can be a nuisance to neighbors, so we recommend viewing them at a zoo.
🧑⚖️ 1. Legal Aspects (Japan/Overseas)
🇯🇵 In Japan
Since Indian flying foxes are not naturally distributed in Japan, even though they are not subject to Japan’s wildlife protection regulations, import and captivity permits are likely required.
Legal and administrative restrictions generally apply to the careless keeping of invasive species and wild animals, and local government ordinances may also regulate this.
(Note: While we have not identified specific examples of designated species, as a general rule, permits are often required for handling wild species.)
🌏 Overseas (e.g., the United States)
In many countries and regions, special permits and licenses are required for personal pet ownership of wild animals.
For example, in Florida, a government permit is required to keep wild animals at home, and pet ownership is prohibited without one. Permits are often only issued for exhibition or conservation purposes.
👉 Please assume that capturing and captivity of wild animals is generally illegal and strictly regulated.
🐾 2. Animal Characteristics (Not Suitable as a Pet)
Indian flying foxes are large, highly social, and wild animals that require a specialized environment.
Practical Difficulties in Captivity:
They live in groups and are not adapted to living alone (high stress).
They require a very large flying space.
They are nocturnal and have long-distance flight habits, making them unsuitable for home use.
Special nutritional requirements (fruit juice, fruit-based, high-energy diet).
Risk of Infectious Disease (wild bats may harbor pathogens that are harmful to humans).
Even if wild animals are captured and brought home, it is considered extremely difficult to care for them as captive animals for their entire lives. Keeping them as pets is not recommended.
🐵 3. Reality of Captivity (Case Study)
🦇 Examples of Zoo Care
Japanese zoos (e.g., Ikeda Zoo, Neo Park Okinawa) display and raise Indian flying foxes in specialized captivity environments.
This is possible because the objectives of education, conservation, and exhibition are met by specialized staff and appropriate facilities.
👉 Instead of keeping them in ordinary households, they are kept in zoos and specialized facilities.
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