Endemic Species

Philippines

Golden-Crowned Flying-Fox

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Pteropodidae

Genus: Acerodon

Species: A. jubatus

Binomial name

Acerodon jubatus

Description: Wings: can end up being

up to five feet wide when fully displayed.

Weight: about 2 ½ pounds.

Face: is very similar to that of a fox.

Snout: long and is very similar to those of canines.

Ears: are pointed rather than round like most species of bats.

Fur: golden brown Color: The rest of the

body, including the wings, are black.

Tail: none

Distribution:

As of 1992 it occurred on the islands of:

Basilan Biliran Cebu Dinagat Leyte Luzon Mindoro Negros Samar Sulu Archipelago (Bongao,

Sanga Sanga, Sivutu and Tawitawi)

Because of centuries of myth and superstition, bats are among the world's least appreciated and most endangered animals.

There were 100,000 fruit bats in the Subic Forest in the 1930s. But due to hunting and human activities within the area, this number went down to only a few thousands today.

Commercial fruit farmers drive bats away because they consider them as troublesome pests that eventually led to their extinction

The fact that the forest areas where these bats live continue to be destroyed by humans is also a factor.

Habitat: They roosts in hardwood trees, often on cliff edges or

steep, inaccessible slopes. Other preferred roosting sites include bamboo clumps,

mangrove trees, and other swampy forested areas. (Roosting sites are usually located on small, offshore islands.)

They live in deep caves as well as in the rainforests. They typically follow the routes of the river, and experts

believe it is.because they can easily find food sources along those areas.

They are fruit eating bats and their main food is figs and figs are located near rivers as are many fruit trees are in the Philippines because it is much easier to grow here.

Acerodon jubatus loves uninhabited areas in fact in a recent study no bats were found in inhabited areas.

Habitat Regions: tropical, terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forestWetlands: swampOther Habitat Features: risparianReproduction:

Breeding interval: Females can breed as often as once every two years.

Breeding season Births: occur from April to June, but gestation periods are unknown, so the breeding season has yet to be determined. Many species form harems consisting of 1 dominant male and up to 37 females. Bachelor males roost separately

Average number of offspring: After five months of pregnancy they give birth to a single offspring.1

Colonies: When fruit bats were very common in the Philippines, the

Giant Golden Crowned Flying fox and the Large Flying fox would make colonies together along with Malayan Flying Foxes (Pteropus vampyrus), reportedly numbering over 150,000 individuals.

It is this roosting behavior that made them so easy to hunt, but also keeps them keep warm and potentially free from predators.

Diet: Golden-capped fruit bats are frugivores. The types of foods they consume include figs, lamio, and

sometimes cultivated fruits of their food supplies are becoming harder to come by.

They also consume leaves by crushing them and swallowing the liquid content.

Behavior: they are primarily nocturnal, and can travel at least 40 km

(25 miles) in one night searching for food. They take a great deal of care with personal grooming.

They will use their wings to scoop the water up and put it all over the body. They wash frequently in the water, taking their time to do so.

They roost in very large colonies as this helps them to stay warm and to be able to feel safe.

Ecological Significance There are more than 300 plant species that rely on the

pollinating and seed dispersal services of bats. Some of these plants include bananas, mangoes, avocados and cashews. They also leave guano, one of the best natural fertilizers available to man.

They pollinate the forest They also disperse seeds. According to Bat World sanctuary,

it is estimated that around 95% of new rainforest regrowth is due to fruit bats dispersing seeds.

Drooping in caves support whole ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria. useful detoxifying wastes, improving detergents a

This helps maintain the Philippine rainforest.

Economic Significance Fruit bats are hunted by man for food. They are considered a delicacy in many regions in the

country. Some large bat roosts, shared by Golden-crowned Flying Fox

and other species, are used as tourist attractions. useful in improving detergents and producing gasohol and

antibiotics.

References: http://www.animalinfo.org/species/bat/acerjuba.htm http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5415239_fruit-bat.html http://carnivoraforum.com/topic/9328621/1/ http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Acer

odon_jubatus/ http://www.arkive.org/golden-capped-fruit-bat/acerod

on-jubatus/image-G28476.html