Black flying fox Black flying fox The black flying fox or black fruit bat ("Pteropus alecto") is a bat in the family Pteropodidae. It is among the largest bats in the world, but is considerably smaller than the largest species in its genus, "Pteropus". The black flying fox is native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. It is not a threatened species. Juvenile specimens of this species from Moa Island in Torres Strait have been described as a separate species, "Pteropus banakrisi". This supposed species was known as the "Torresian flying fox" or "Moa Island fruit bat". The black flying fox has
Large flying fox only used temporarily. This species primarily feeds on flowers, nectar and fruit. When all three food items are available, flowers and nectar are preferred. The pollen, nectar, and flower of coconut and durian trees, as well as the fruits of rambutan, fig and langsat trees, are consumed. Flying foxes will also eat mangoes and bananas. With fruit, the flying fox prefers the pulp, and slices open the rind to get it. With durian tree flowers, the flying fox can lick up the nectar without doing apparent damage to the flower. Colonies of large flying foxes fly in a scattered stream.