Little red flying-fox
© Canva NFP
The little red flying-fox (Pteropus scapulatus) is the most widespread species of megabat in Australia. It is the only species of Australian flying-fox that regularly roosts in clusters — up to 30 have been seen hanging together in a tight bunch. The weight of their clusters can cause severe damage to their roost trees.
Quick facts
COMMON NAME:
Little red flying-fox
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Pteropus scapulatus
FAMILY:
Pteropodidae
QLD CONSERVATION STATUS:
Least Concern
How we help flying-foxes
Every summer for more than 30 years, Wildlife Queensland’s Batty Boat Cruises have introduced thousands of people to the fascinating world of flying-foxes. This successful education initiative provides an opportunity for everyone to see flying-foxes in their natural habitat and learn why they are so important to our environment. Proceeds from the cruises fund bat conservation and support bat carers within Queensland.
![little red flying-fox 795x447 (1) Little red flying-fox](/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/little-red-flying-fox-795x447-1-1.jpg)
Did you know?
Little reds are the only flying-fox in the world that eats almost exclusively nectar. Their tongues have even evolved differently from other flying-foxes to be more similar to the tongues of nectar-feeding birds, such as honeyeaters.
![little red flying-fox 795x447 Little red flying-fox](/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/little-red-flying-fox-795x447-1.jpg)
Threats to little red flying-foxes
- Habitat loss
- Powerlines
- Barbed-wire fences: Little red flying-foxes fly low and are frequently caught on fences only a metre or so off the ground.
Home range
- Little red flying-foxes only travel 20–30 km from camp to feed.
Distribution
- As nomads, they range a long distance inland, depending on the availability of flowering trees.
- They have a wide distribution, being found in northern and eastern Australia including Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
- Have been recorded in South Australia.
Description
- Little red flying-foxes vary in colour from reddish-brown to light brown, and there are patches of light, creamy, brown fur where the wing membrane and shoulder meet.
- The head is covered with greyish fur and, in some forms found in northern Queensland, grey fur continues down the back.
- Wings are brown and semi-transparent when seen flying during the day. This helps identify the species.
- Average weight 300–600 g.
- Head-body length 125–200mm.
Habitat
- Broad range of habitats that include semi-arid areas to tropical and temperate eucalypt forests, paperbark swamps and monsoon forests.
Ecology
Life history and behaviour
- In northern Australia, little red flying- foxes sometimes leave their roost sites before dark and feed during the day on overcast wet season days.
- Often crash land in trees and need to climb a tree limb to take off again.
- Efficient climbers that use their jointed thumbs as well as feet to climb about.
- Prefer to roost near the ground.
Breeding
- Little red flying-foxes form large camps for mating that can include up to 100,000 individuals.
- Mating occurs between November–January. Young are born in April and May.
- Males have harems of two to five females in small, defended territories.
- Young begin to fly at two months.
- The female cares for its young for several months while they develop the basic skills of finding food.
Food
- Prefer nectar, especially eucalypt, bloodwood and angophera nectar.
- Will eat fruit, sap and insects and cultivated fruit when other resources are unavailable.
More information
Publications & papers
- Hall, L. & Richards, R. (2000). Flying-foxes and fruit and blossom bats of Australia. Australian Natural History Series. UNSW Press.
- Menkhorst, P. & Knight, F. (2004) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press.