Black flying-fox

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The black flying-fox (Pteropus alecto) has the largest body size of the four mainland species of flying-fox in Australia — up to approximately 26 cm, and can weigh up to 1000 g. The species was first described by Temminck in 1837 from a specimen from Menado, Indonesia. In 1867, Peters described a black flying-fox from Rockhampton.

Quick facts

COMMON NAME:
Black-headed flying-fox

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Pteropus alecto

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.

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Did you know?

The black flying-fox can fly at 35 – 40 kilometres per hour.

Threats to black flying-foxes

Habitat loss
Unregulated shooting for crop protection
Powerlines and barbed-wire fences

Home range

Groups will travel up to 50 km from their camps to foraging areas and will use the same camp for many years.

Distribution

Black flying-foxes are found around the northern coast of Australia and inland wherever permanent water is found in rivers.

Description

Jet black fur but some variation does occur
Chocolate-brown patch of fur is often seen on the back of its neck and shoulders
Brownish fur around eyes and on face
Some have frosting of greyish tips all over their body, particularly on the belly
The lower leg is unfurred
Wingspan about 1m
Average weight of 500–1000g
Head–body length 230–280mm

Habitat

Wide range of habitats of tropical and subtropical forests and woodlands.

Ecology

Life history and behaviour

Black flying-foxes can live up to 20 years in the wild.
During the day, black flying-foxes roost on tree branches in camps and fly out at dusk to feed.
Main camps form in summer and may contain tens to hundreds of thousands of individuals, depending on local food availability.
Can hold and manipulate food with clawed thumbs.
They will wrap their wings around themselves if cold or wet.

Breeding

In southern Queensland, adults mate in March and April. Females become pregnant before dispersing for the winter months.
Congregate into camps from early to late summer where the young are born and raised.
Young are carried by the female until about 4 weeks of age and then left at the roost while the mother forages at night.
Young begin to fly at 8 weeks of age but depend on their mothers for at least 3 months.

Food

Fly out at dusk to feed on blossoms and fruits.
They prefer the blossom of eucalypts, paperbarks and turpentines, as well as a variety of other native and introduced blossoms and fruits.
They have been seen to eat the leaves of trees by chewing the leaves into a bolus, swallowing the liquid and then spitting out the fibre.

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.