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| Philippine Giant Fruit Bat Pteropus vampyrus ssp. lanensis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
| Common Names: Bayakan
Habitat/Distribution: This subspecies is endemic to the Philippines, while the species ranges throughout southern Asia. It's habitat is also lowland tropical forest primarily below about 1000 meters. Habitat / Behavior: P. vampyrus is the world's largest bat which can attain a wingspan of over six feet (1.8 m) and weigh well over two and a half pounds ( 1000 g ). The Large fruit bat has a gestation period of approximately 180 days and gives birth to a single pup (two on rare occasions). In the wild these bats feed on fruits flowers, nectar, pollen and leaves. In captivity, their nutrition is maintained as close as possible to that of the wild and are fed apples, bananas, cantaloupe, pears, peaches, kiwi, pineapples, grapes, mangoes, papayas, dried fruit, monkey chow, spinach, kale, sweet corn, sweet potatoes and a variety of other vegetables. The large fruit bat can eat half its body weight in food daily and can live for up to 30 years. The greatest threat to this species in the wild is hunting for food by local people and deforestation.
Threats: Its popoluation has also plummeted due to hunting and habitat
destruction. Conservation Efforts/Measures: Wildlife Ecologist for the study of the Giant Fruit Bat , Bat Learning Center Photograph Information: Courtesy of Sam Stier [Bat Learning Center, Subic] taken 1999
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