Pteropus Conspicillatus

Location: -16° 53’ 19.68" +145° 44’ 7.58"

The spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus), also known as the spectacled fruit bat, is a large bat species found in north-eastern Queensland (Australia), New Guinea, and nearby islands.

These bats are highly social, gathering in massive camps of tens of thousands in forest canopies. They spend their days socialising and nights foraging, flying at 25–30 km/h (up to 50 km/h with tailwinds) while travelling up to 70 km in search of food and water. They drink by skimming the water’s surface to collect what they need.

They form monogamous pairs, though males may switch mates if a female doesn’t produce offspring. Breeding occurs from March to May, with females giving birth to one pup per year after a 7-month gestation. Young are nursed for 5 months before becoming independent.

Threats include habitat loss from urban development, agriculture, and logging, as well as human persecution due to crop raiding. They also face dangers like paralysis ticks, power line collisions, and hunting for meat in New Guinea.

Despite these challenges, they play a vital ecological role as seed dispersers and pollinators, spreading up to 60,000 seeds per night to aid forest regeneration. As the only flying mammals, they rely on sight and hearing—not echolocation—and are as intelligent as cats.