Giant golden-crowned flying fox
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| Golden-capped Fruit Bat Conservation status: Endangered | ||||||||||||||
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| Missing image Golden_crowned_fruit_bat.jpg image:Golden_crowned_fruit_bat.jpg | ||||||||||||||
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| Acerodon jubatus (Eschscholtz, 1831) |
The Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), also known as the Golden-capped fruit bat, is a rare fruit bat said to be the largest bat in the world. They can be found only in the Philippines, where they live in the caves and rainforests of Maitum, Sarangani. The species is endangered and is currently facing the possibility of extinction due to poachers and food hunters.
This nocturnal flying mammal has a wing span of at least 5 ft and weighs approximately 1.2 kg or 3 lbs. It is active at night and can fly long distance up to 40 kilometers while hunting for food, eating a variety of fruits. Its favorite food is the ripe fig.
The local government of Maitum, Sarangani in the Philippines has organized a campaign to save this rare species from extinction. They were known to roost by the thousands before their decline due to destruction of habitat and reckless hunting.
External links
- ITIS Entry for Acerodon jubatus (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=631541)
- Image of Acerodon jubatus (http://mampam.50megs.com/polillo/2001/Images/Mammalsspeciesguide/pages/BAcerodontbc.htm)