Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits lowland tropical forests, mangrove swamps, and agricultural areas with fruit trees in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. It prefers warm, humid environments near water sources and can adapt to secondary forests or plantations. They roost in dense foliage, caves, or under palm fronds during the day.
Diet
The Nusatenggara short-nosed fruit bat feeds mainly on ripe fruits such as figs, bananas, and mangos, as well as nectar from flowers like those of the durian tree. They use their strong jaws and teeth to crush and consume fruit pulp, often feeding at night when fruits are most abundant. Feeding behavior includes hovering or landing on branches to access food sources.
Behavior
These bats are nocturnal, emerging at dusk to forage in small groups or alone, and they exhibit agile, maneuverable flight to navigate dense vegetation. They are generally social, roosting in colonies of up to 20 individuals, and show territorial behavior around favored fruit trees. Males may perform vocal displays during mating season to attract females.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Nusatenggara short-nosed fruit bat is Vulnerable due to habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Population trends are decreasing, with major threats including hunting and climate change impacts.