Large flying fox fox was one of the many mammal species originally described by Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 10th edition of his "Systema Naturae", receiving the name "Vespertilio vampyrus". The large flying fox is among the largest species of bat. It weighs and has a wingspan of up to . Its head-body length is . As with all megabats, it has a fox-like face, hence its name. It lacks a tail and has pointed ears. The hairs on much of its body are long and woolly, but are shorter and more erect on the upper back. The mantle hairs tend to be
Ryukyu flying fox name ""dasymallus"" is likely ; Temminck described its fur as long and woolly. The five subspecies are: The subspecies are based on populations that occur on different islands. The Ryukyu flying fox is slightly smaller than the Indian flying fox, with a wingspan of . It weighs . Its forearm is approximately long. The body of the bat is covered in long hairs, making the body seem almost woolly. The bat is reddish brown and has a yellowish white nape. Its ears are small and pointed, and are difficult to see beneath its thick fur. Its flight membranes are dark