Pteropus poliocephalus
Description
This flying fox has a bright orange collar (like a lion's mane) easily identifies it, with long silky black-grey fur, and a silvery grey face. Their fur extends down their arms and all along their furry little legs. In fact, on seeing a flying fox up close for the first time, most people are surprised at how furry they are. The wings are soft velvet, kept elastic and supple by constant grooming. Although they have a very recognisable odour, the flying fox is a very clean animal, using their thumbs they hang upside down to defecate ensuring they remain clean.
Distribution
Grey-headed flying foxes are found along the coast from Rockhampton to Melbourne. In Sydney their main camp is in Gordon, although the most accessible camp is in the Sydney Botanic Gardens.
Habits and Habitat
Grey-headed flying foxes love company and live in large groups. Grey-headed flying foxes are also known as fruit bats because they love fruit such as morton bay figs. They also love native flowers; a particular favourite being the flowers of the eucalypts, melaleucas and banksias. Australia is famous for its majestic eucalypt trees, and flying foxes act as tiny botanists as they fly from tree to tree dispersing the tree's seeds on their fur and in their droppings.
Flying foxes are under pressure from reduction of natural habitat. Particular problems for flying foxes are electrocution and getting trapped in fruit tree netting (see NPWS guidelines).
Links and References
Ronald Strahan ed. (2002), "The Mammals of Australia", Australian Museum/Reed New Holland
Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society