How big is a full grown fruit bat?

They are the largest of all bats. Some of the smallest members of the family are the pollen- and nectar-eating long-tongued fruit bats (Macroglossus), which attain a head and body length of about 6–7 cm (2.4–2.8 inches) and a wingspan of about 25 cm (10 inches).

What is the largest fruit bat?

golden-crowned flying fox
The golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) is a fruit-eating megabat found only in the Philippines. It is one of the planet’s largest bat species, with a wingspan up to 5 feet 6 inches long and a weight of up to 2.6 pounds.

Are fruit bats aggressive?

Generally no, bats are not aggressive by nature and unless you are threatening them they won’t act aggressively toward you. Most bats are quite timid and prefer to avoid people. That said NEVER PICKUP OR TRY TO HANDLE WILD BATS. Wild bats are just that, wild.

How big can a bat grow up to?

It can grow as long as seven inches or more with a wingspan of 21 to 23 inches (53 to 58 centimeters). Bats are found throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Can a fruit bat be a pet?

Is it legal to keep a fruit bat as a pet? No, in the US, Australia and many other countries, it is illegal to keep a fruit bat as a pet. This includes the Flying Fox.

Do fruit bats bite humans?

Bats do not bite unless they are provoked. Even the occasional rabid bat seldom becomes aggressive. Also, because bats groom themselves regularly and rabies can be transmitted through saliva, touching a bat with bare hands that have a wound, abrasion, or scratch is considered a potential exposure to the virus.

Can you keep a fruit bat as a pet?

Is it legal to keep a fruit bat as a pet? No, in the US, Australia and many other countries, it is illegal to keep a fruit bat as a pet.

How long does a fruit bat live?

How long does a fruit bat live? Fruit bats have an average lifespan of 15 years.

Are fruit bats blind?

Contrary to myth, bats aren’t blind. And many fruit bats, which drink nectar rather than hunt insects, don’t echolocate at all. These species have particularly sharp vision, and some can even see ultraviolet light.

What diseases do fruit bats carry?

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans, causing serious illness. The virus was first identified in 1996 and has been found in four kinds of flying foxes/fruit bats and one species of insect-eating microbat.

What are facts about fruit bats?

Fruit Bat Characteristics. Fruit bats are much larger than the microbats found in the United States. Also referred to as megabats or flying foxes, fruit bats have a thick furry coat, long snouts, large eyes and pointy ears. Some species of fruit bats can have a wingspan of up to 6 feet, according to the National Wildlife Federation .

What is the largest bat in the world?

Flying Foxes: The Largest Bats in the World. When fully displayed, the wings of the Flying Fox measure 5 feet across. The Flying Fox was named for its small pointed ears and large eyes which resemblance that of a fox. The flying fox ( Pteropus vampyrus ) is the largest bat species in the world.

What is the weight of a fruit bat?

Its length is about 9 cm (3.5 inches). Although compared to other New World fruit bats, the Jamaican fruit bat is one of the heavier species, weighing 40–65 grams (1.4–2.3 ounces).

What is the habitat of a fruit bat?

Fruit Bat Habitat The tropical or subtropical forests and savannas of the Eastern Hemisphere, spanning between the Eastern Mediterranean and Australia, contain all the fruit bat species from the family of Pteropodidae. A few more species unrelated to this family can be found in Central and South America.