Cynopterus sphinx
SUBFAMILY
Pteropodinae
TAXONOMY
Vespertilio sphinx (Vahl, 1797), Tranquebar, Madras, India.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Short-nosed fruit bat, dog-faced fruit bat.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Head and body length, 2.8–5.1 in (7–13 cm); forearm length, 2.5–3.1 in (6.4–7.9 cm); wingspan, 12–18.9 in (30.5–48 cm); tail length, 2.4–5.9 in (6–15 cm); weight, 0.9–3.5 oz (25–100g). Pelage color ranges from rusty brown to olive. These bats have pronounced tubular nostrils (although they are not part of the tube-nosed fruit bat subfamily).
DISTRIBUTION
Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Islands of Southeast Asia to Borneo and Sulawesi.
HABITAT
Forests, farms, and city parks.
BEHAVIOR
Variable. May be found singly; small roosting groups of three or four individuals are common, but camps of up to 25 have
been observed. Older males roost alone, younger males roost with females. In some locations one-male units (or harems) exists during breeding season. Males construct elaborate shelters called "stem tents" over a period of one to two months. One male attracts 2–20 females. The stem tent is used for roosting during the day and as a nursery for the pups. After the pups are weaned the males and females separate into unisex groups.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Ripe fruit such as figs, soursop, and mango, flowers, nectar, and pollen.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Polygamous. Two breeding seasons. Females produce one offspring per year. Gestation lasts about four months. Females reach sexual maturity at about five months, males at around 15 months.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Some Asian populations use these bats for medicinal purposes.
