Foxes

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The flying foxes (Pteropodidae) are a mammalian family from the order of bats (Chiroptera). They are the only family of the superfamily Pteropodoidea and together with the horseshoe nose species (Rhinolophoidea) form the subordinate Yinpterochiroptera. The family comprises around 40 genera with almost 200 species.

Dissemination

Foxes are common in tropical and subtropical regions in Africa (including Madagascar and Seychelles), the Indian Ocean (Maldives), southern Asia, Australia and western Oceania. On the edge of the European fauna, only the Nile flying dog can be found in southern Turkey and on the island of Cyprus. Geographically, they belong to Asia.

Description
Foxes represent the largest bat species. The Kalong reaches a wingspan of up to 170 centimeters and some species have a head trunk length of up to 40 centimeters. However, many species are smaller and the largest bat species are significantly larger than the smallest flying fox species.

In the physique, the flying foxes correspond to the remaining bats, the flying membrane is stretched by the extended second to fifth fingers and reaches up to the ankle joints. However, most flying foxes – with the exception of the long-tailed flying fox (Notopteris) – have no or only a very short tail. Also the Uropatagium (the tail flying skin) is only a narrow strip along the hind legs. Another distinguishing feature from bats is a claw on the second finger, which is present in most flying fox species but is missing in bats.

The faces of the flying foxes are simply built. The noses have no nostrils and their small, oval ears have no tragus. The snouts are often extended, which has led to the dog-like appearance and their German name.

lifestyle

Flying foxes are primarily dawn or nocturnal active. They often travel long distances when searching for food, during the day they sleep headlong. In contrast to bats, flying foxes are often found hanging on trees in exposed places – in tropical rainforests, preferably on the “primordial forest giants” that tower over the canopy.

Another difference to bats is the lack of echolocation – except for the rosette flying dogs. Flying foxes have well developed eyes and an excellent sense of smell. Due to the warm climate in their range, they do not hibernate. While the larger species often live together in large groups, where they can form large colonies with up to 500,000 animals and develop complex social behavior, the smaller species are more loners.

Food
Foxes feed on plants, nectar, pollen, fruits and flowers.
A number of species are therefore important for vegetation, as they transport seeds when eating fruits or pollinate flowers (chiropterophilia). GREEN