Area of zoo
Enclosure status
Open
Population in the wild
20,000
IUCN status
Endangered
Scientific name
Pteropus rodricensis
Order
Chiroptera
Type
Mammals
Family
Pteropodidae
Region
Mauritius, Rodrgiues island
Habitat
Forest
Rodrigues fruit bat facts
- Fruit bats are also known as 'flying foxes' because of their long, dog-like faces. They are not related though - they are 100% bat.
- They molt once a year.
- The Rodrigues Fruit Bat has 34 teeth.
What do Rodrigues fruit bats eat?
Fruit (of course) but also flowers pollen and nectar. They feed at night, using their big eyes and super sense of smell to find food.
Rodrigues fruit bat habitat
Rodrigues Fruit Bats are found forested areas, and can also be seen roosting in remaining patches of both primary and secondary forest.
Want to experience Rainforest Life?
A place in London like no other, with trees filled with monkeys, snoozing sloths and bats flying overhead! Be transported to the Amazon rainforest and find out why it's one our most popular spots!
Where do Rodrigues fruit bats live?
In the wild these animals are only found on Rodrigues, a tiny island (about 70 times the size of Regent's Park) in the middle of the ocean.
Rodrigues fruit bat threats
The devastation of their forest by humans and by cyclones had taken them a hair's breadth from extinction.