Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits lowland rainforests and coastal areas on New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea. It prefers dense vegetation for roosting in caves or tree hollows and forages in forested regions up to 500 meters elevation.
Diet
It feeds mainly on fruits such as figs, bananas, and other rainforest produce, which it consumes while hanging from branches. Feeding occurs at night, with individuals traveling several kilometers to locate food sources, and they play a key role in seed dispersal.
Behavior
These bats are nocturnal, roosting in colonies of up to several hundred individuals in caves or tree hollows during the day. They exhibit social behaviors like grooming and vocal communication, and are highly mobile, flying long distances to feed while showing territorial aggression around fruiting trees.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Vulnerable due to habitat loss from logging and agriculture, with population trends showing a decline.