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Pygmy fruit bat

Aethalops alecto

MammalThe IUCN status is Leas…

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammal

Habitat

This species inhabits tropical rainforests and secondary forests in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They prefer lowland areas with dense vegetation for roosting in trees and feeding.

Diet

Pygmy fruit bats primarily eat fruits such as figs, bananas, and other soft fruits, which they locate using their keen sense of smell. They are nocturnal feeders, often consuming nectar and occasionally insects to supplement their diet.

Behavior

Pygmy fruit bats are social, roosting in small groups of up to 20 individuals in tree hollows or foliage during the day. They are nocturnal, exhibiting agile flight patterns for foraging, and show territorial behavior around feeding sites. They use echolocation for navigation and avoiding obstacles.

Conservation Status

The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend, though habitat loss from deforestation poses a potential threat.