Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat
Epomophorus gambianus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Chiroptera · Pteropodidae
About
The Gambian epauletted fruit bat is a species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, and Togo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and savanna.
Fun Fact
The species' droppings support whole ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria useful in detoxifying wastes, and producing gasohol.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Found in a variety of habitats ranging from the dry savanna, moist savanna, mosaic, bushland, tropical dry forests, and subtropical dry forests habitats.
Diet
Eat small fruits, often found flying from tree to tree, feeding on their primary food source, the fig.
Lifespan
28 years
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance