Class: Mammalia

Order: Chiroptera

Scientific Name: Rousettus aegyptiacus

Range: Pakistan to Egypt and Africa south of the Sahara

Habitat: Wide variety of habitats, wherever there is fruit and flowers.

Diet: Wild: Fruit juices and flower nectar Zoo: Bananas, grapes, apples, fruit in season

Gestation: about 4 months

Litter: 1 or 2

Description: This is a fairly small species is only 9 in long with a wing spread of 16-20 in., weighing 3-6 oz. Males are noticeably larger then females. The coloring is uniformly brownish with the underparts lighter. The muzzle is long and pointed, the eyes are large and the erect simple ears are constantly in motion. These common bats roost in tombs, temple, rock crevices, trees and caves. In caves they are never far from the entrance probably because they do not echolocate very well. They may fly 20-25 miles a night from the roost to feeding grounds. The feeding grounds change continuously as trees fruit and flower. Some colonies are known to make short migrations. When roosting, these bats crowded together touching one another. Disputes are common and noisy.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Fruit Bat Exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.