Insular flying fox Insular flying fox The insular flying fox or Pacific flying fox ("Pteropus tonganus") is a species of flying fox in the family Pteropodidae. It is geographically widespread, the most widespread flying fox in the Pacific: it is found in American Samoa, the Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (where it is called "pe'a fanua, pe'a fai" and "taulaga"), the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Archaeologists on an excavation site at Rurutu announced in 2006 some important fossil finds: The range of coloration in this bat species varies somewhat. Its back is described as black or seal
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.