Reproduction
One pup per year, but we don’t know much about their breeding behavior in the wild.
Diet
The Livingstone’s flying fox is frugivorous, feeding mainly on fruits. They have also been recorded eating flowers, presumably for the nectar.
Wingspan
4-5 ft.
Habitat
Their natural habitat is the montane rainforest on Comoros, a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean. Habitat loss through deforestation and conversion to agricultural land is the main threat for this species. In addition, the large old-growth trees they rely on for roosting are targeted for timber.
Protecting a small island flying fox
- Common Name
- Livingstone’s fruit bat
- Scientific Name
- Pteropus livingstonii
- Status
- Critically Endangered
- Location
- Africa
Project Details
Because of their small and remote population, not much is known about Livingstone’s fruit bats, also sometimes called “Comoros flying fox.” They are found only on the islands of Anjouan and Moheli, Comoros, off the coast of Madagascar. Dr. Isabella Mandl and partners Dahari Comores have been working to track Livingstone’s fruit bats to determine what trees they rely on for roosting and survival.
Dr. Isabella Mandl
Island Life
The Comoros Islands are small, but filled with dense rainforest. Livingstone’s fruit bats prefer roosting in native trees, often on steep, south-east facing slopes. Livingstone’s fruit bats feed on plants, including pollen, fruit and leaves. Common diet items include kapok fruit and flowers and figs. Individuals in captivity have been observed catching and feeding on insects and insects have been previously reported in wild bat diets.
Dr. Isabella Mandl
It’s a Community Effort
Dahari Comores will integrate the results of the research into a community-based landscape management program, with the goal to protect and regenerate the last remaining forests on Comoros. The program will target areas that are important for the bats (such as roosts and feeding sites) and for natural resources, ultimately benefiting Comoran biodiversity and communities.
Dr. Isabella Mandl
Threats
Their natural habitat is the montane rainforest on Comoros, a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean. Habitat loss through deforestation and conversion to agricultural land is the main threat for this species. In addition, the large old-growth trees they rely on for roosting are targeted for timber.