Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus)
Gambian Epauletted fruit bat,
which looks similar to the Wahlberg’s Epauletted fruit bat.
Identification pointers
In appearance almost identical to the Wahlberg’s Epauletted fruit
bat, the most convenient characteristics that distinguish it from the
Wahlberg are the positions of palatal ridges in the mouth and a small
frequency difference in their call.
Forearm lengths vary from 75-88 mm and mass from 56 to 140
grams.10
Roosting habits
They commonly share roosts with the Wahlberg’s Epauletted fruit
bat, usually indigenous evergreen trees with good foliage
cover10. Colonies may number in the hundreds, and they may
take a while to settle after a night’s foraging. Members of the colony
can be aggressive towards other members roosting too close to
them.8
Breeding
Single young are born per year but twins have been recorded, with
a peak in births observed during August in Zimbabwe. Females carry the
very young babies with them during flight but leave them hanging in the
roost when they become too large to carry
conveniently.8
Food
The fruits of garden trees such as bananas and mangoes as well as
the flowers and nectar of many indigenous trees, which they also
pollinate. Soft and pulpy fruits are preferred and hard fruits such as
pears and apples are left untouched8, 10. Fruit bats play an
invaluable role in forest regeneration, not only by pollinating trees, but also by
means of seed dispersal as they defecate whilst flying
around.
Holy flying fox! It's a nursery for orphaned bats
