Little Red Flying-fox
Scientific name: Pteropus scapulatus
Click to enlarge image
Flying-fox, Little Red
GBB-36895.tif
Image: G B Baker
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Pteropus
- Species
- scapulatus
- Family
- Pteropodidae
- Order
- Chiroptera
- Subclass
- Eutheria
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Introduction
Little Red Flying-foxes are important pollinators of tree species and fly further into inland Australia than other bat species, following the flowering of eucalypts.
Habitat
Little Red Flying-foxes roost on the branches of trees. They roost in groups, called camps, of up to many thousands of bats. They often share camps with other flying fox species.
Distribution
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
Little Red Flying-foxes appear to favour the nectar and pollen of eucalypt blossom over other foods that make up their diet, such as other flowers and fruit. Orchards are raided sometimes when other food is limited.
Conservation status
Little Red Flying-foxes are vulnerable to loss of feeding areas from forestry operations, clearing of native vegetation and land degradation from agriculture.
