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Common Name : Large Flying Fox or Malayan Flying Fox Distribution : Vietnam , Burma , malay Peninsula, Borneo , Philippines , Sumatra , Java, and Lesser Sunda Isls, adjacent small islands including Anak Krakatau. Reports of this species from Cambodia cannot be verified (Kock, 2000). Status : CITES - Appendix II. IUCN/SSC Action Plan (1992) - Not Threatned. IUCN 2002 - Lower Risk (lc).
The Malayan flying fox is one of the world's largest bats and can attain a wing-span of over six feet (1.8 m) and weigh well over two and a half pounds (1000 g). There are 7 subspecies of the Large Fruit Bat and the most threatened being P.v. lanensis (vulnerable) of the Philippines . Although classified as lower risk, this species is declining rapidly in the wild due to unsustainable hunting and persecution as a crop pest. Many recorded colonies appear confined to offshore islands and this bat has been recorded flying up to 60 km a night to forage on the mainland of Penisula Malaysia . Whether this is a preference of the bats or they have been driven there by habitat destruction and disturbance is uncertain. They can be found range from sea level to 1300 m. They roost near tree tops and many confine to islands and offshore of mainland.
The head is usually reddish black or russet, becoming deep gold or orange rather suddenly during the breeding season. The back is black with scattered white hairs. The Large fruit bat has a gestation period of approximately 140-192 days and gives birth to a single pup (twins on rare occasions). The young stays with the mother for two or three months, at the end of which time the young is nearly mature.
In the wild Malayan fruit bats are strictly frugivorous, feeding on fruits flowers, nectar, pollen and leaves. They help dispersing fruit seeds to far away places such as oceanic islands. Dispersing fruit seeds also enhance reforestation. In captivity, they are fed a variety of fruits and vegetables and Lubee's fruit bat supplement.
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