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Common Name : Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat Distribution : Cameroon to Sudan and Somalia , south to Malawi , Angola , and South Africa ; Pemba and Zanzibar Isls. A Liberian record is probably erroneous (Koopman, 1993), and Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea records are of uncertain validity (Bergmans, 1988). Status : IUCN/SSC Action Plan (1992) - Not Threatened. IUCN 2002 - Lower Risk (lc).
The Epauletted fruit bat is quite common throughout its range. These bats prefer woodland and savannah areas and the edges of forests. During the summer they tend to migrate to parts of Africa , attracted by the ripening crops of guava. This species is not threatened in the wild but may be vulnerable due to habitat loss. They live in hollow trees, underneath large leaves, and beneath the eaves of buildings. They often roost where there is considerable light and will change their roosting sight every few days. While hanging from their feet in their roosts, they will isolate themselves from their neighbors by short distances. While roosting, they remain relatively quiet, and do not move very much. They make it a point to not intrude on each other's space.
Epauletted fruit bats have a wingspan of two feet (0.6m) and weigh approximately 6 ounces (150g). They have a simple wing and are adapted for long flights. They will fly up to 10 kilometers to find food. Males are larger than females and the epaulettes on their shoulders are more conspicuous, highlighted with a patch of white fur. Their face and head resembles that of a dog. During courtship males form leaks from which they emit a high pitch "pinging" call while inverting their epaulettes to attract females. Young are born singly, in most cases, but twins are occasionally seen. As she forages for food, the mother caries her offspring, which cling to her chest.
Like other Old World fruit bats, the Epauletted fruit bat in the wild feeds on fruits and other plant resources including flowers nectar and leaves. The smell of ripening fruit is what attracts them to their food source. They feed on figs, mangoes, guavas, bananas, peaches, apples, papayas, and small berries. They chew the fruit, swallow the juice, and spit out most of the pulp and seeds. In captivity they are fed a diet of commercially available fruits, vegetables and "Lubee's fruit bat supplement." This is the species depicted in the popular children's book "Stellaluna" by Janell Cannon.
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