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Quick answer
The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is a fruit bat with a 1.5 m wingspan that roosts in vast Southeast Asian colonies. Adults weigh about 1.1 kg, pollinate trees and disperse seeds, and are listed Endangered from hunting and habitat loss.
Top questions about the Large Flying Fox
Large Flying Fox facts at a glance
- Weight 1.1 kg
- Length 30 cm
- Top speed 35 km/h
- Lifespan 20 years
| Scientific name | Pteropus vampyrus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore (fruit and nectar) |
| Habitat | Mangroves and tropical forest |
| Lifespan | 15–25 years |
| Weight | 0.9–1.3 kg |
| Top speed | up to 35 km/h |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Chiroptera |
| Family | Pteropodidae |
| Genus | Pteropus |
Where it lives
The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is native to Southeast Asian forests from Malaysia and Indonesia to the Philippines. — recorded across Asia, Oceania in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a large flying fox?
An adult large flying fox measures 30 cm long — about 17% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 1.1 kg, about 2% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of large flying foxes called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Large Flying Foxes is called a colony.
Baby name
A baby Large Flying Fox is called a pup.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Megabat of island forests
Unlike insect-eating microbats, flying foxes have dog-like faces, large eyes, and no echolocation for fruit. They fly long distances nightly to flowering and fruiting trees.
Nectar, pollen, and fruit
Figs, durian, bananas, and nectar sustain colonies that may number tens of thousands. Spit-out seeds and pollen dusting make them key forest regenerators.
Southeast Asian roosts
Mangroves and lowland forest from Malaysia and Indonesia to the Philippines. Daytime roosts in tall trees can blanket entire riverbanks.
Endangered by bushmeat trade
IUCN lists the species Endangered. Hunting for bushmeat and persecution near orchards shrink colonies; legal protection and roost sanctuaries are critical.
Explore the Large Flying Fox
Collections
Conservation status of the Large Flying Fox
The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Endangered (EN) means a species faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Populations are usually declining sharply due to habitat loss, hunting, disease, or climate pressure. It sits one level below Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Main threats to the large flying fox
- Hunting for bushmeat and persecution
- Deforestation of roosting and foraging habitat
- Heat-stress mortality at roosts
- Disturbance at colony sites
Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2016. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Large Flying Fox
Are flying foxes related to foxes?
No — the name refers to their fox-like faces; they are fruit bats in the genus Pteropus.
Do flying foxes use echolocation?
They rely on vision and smell to find fruit, not the ultrasonic echolocation of insect-eating bats.
Why are flying foxes important to forests?
They pollinate flowers and disperse large seeds over long distances, especially for figs and durian.
How big is a large flying fox wingspan?
Up to about 1.5 m — among the largest bats in the world.
Why are flying foxes Endangered?
Hunting, habitat loss, and conflict with fruit growers have collapsed many roosts across Southeast Asia.
What is a group of large flying foxes called?
A group of Large Flying Foxes is called a colony.
What is a baby large flying fox called?
A baby Large Flying Fox is called a pup.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Large Flying Fox:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Endangered) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Pteropus vampyrus, most recently assessed in 2016.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Pteropus vampyrus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Pteropus vampyrus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
