Spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus)
Spectacled flying foxes are the main species we care for at the Bat Hospital. Most come in as as result of tick paralysis, both adults and orphans. Some are the result of entanglement on barbed wire fences, and a few from entanglement in netting over backyard fruit trees and electrocution on powerlines. Occasionally a spectacled flying fox will come in as a result of car strike or dog attack. With climate change comes the threat of heat stress, cyclones and feeding habitat. It is ultimately the most serious threat of all. We live with the possibility of losing extreme numbers as in late 2018 when about 25% of the population died. We took into care over 500 orphaned Spectacled flying foxes after that event. Since 1990 many thousands have been rescued and released, to date (2026) over 5000 of them orphans. When handled and housed correctly they are usually remarkably calm to rescue and rehabilitate.
Photo (right): Variations in colour are sometimes seen in the orphans coming into care though we don’t don’t how they persist into adulthood.
Endangered? Critically endangered?
Spectacled flying foxes were up-listed by the federal government in 2019 from vulnerable to endangered. Many believe they are eligible for further up-listing to critically endangered following a severe heat stress event in late November 2018. Research led by Dr David Westcott of CSIRO has contributed greatly to knowledge of this species over many years, including population data. Since his retirement a new recovery team for the species has been established. The Bat Hospital has a representative on the team, as do many regional NGOs, CSIRO, federal and state government environment departments. Its first meeting was in August 2020 and submissions began in mid 2021 to update the recovery plan for the species. Terrain NRM received significant funding from the Federal Government in 2024 for a number of projects involving the conservation of spectacled flying foxes.
Photo (right): Logo for the Spectacled flying-fox Recovery Team
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Pteropus conspicillatus |
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DESCRIPTION |
The Spectacled Flying-fox has distinctive straw-coloured fur surrounding the eyes. The species can also have varying amounts of the same pale fur on the shoulders and the head. |
DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT |
Spectacled flying-foxes have the smallest known distribution and population of the four Australian mainland Pteropus flying-foxes. It occurs in north-eastern Queensland, north of Ingham with past records south to Magnetic Island, Townsville and Eungella. It is restricted largely coastal areas between Ingham and Cooktown, and between the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges of Cape York. The species also occurs on Torres Strait islands. The largest population in Australia is known from the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area between Ingham and Cooktown. They roost in a variety of habitats from city parks in towns to rainforest, mangroves, wetlands, wet and dry sclerophyll. |
DIET |
The primary food source in Australia is the Myrtacae family flowers of Eucalyptus, Banksia and Melaleuca species found in wet and dry sclerophyll forests; plus rainforest, wetland, mangrove and occasional exotic fruits in orchards and backyards. |
MATING SEASON |
Mating occurs in the early part of the year with conception peaking March to April. As with the other Australian flying fox species, the males put on a lot of weight at this time of year and defend their territory. They try to leave their branch/es only for short periods to feed. Males mark their territory with secretions from their scapular glands. |
BIRTHING SEASON |
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LIFE HISTORY OF THE PUP UP TO JUVENILE AGE |
When the pup is born it cannot maintain its own body temperature and must remain on mum all the time, hanging on as she flies out at night to feed. The claws bed into her fur and the mouth is firmly on the nipple. By about 6 weeks of age the pup is too heavy to fly with and it is left in a creche in the roost with other pups. Here they become very active at night doing a lot of flapping and eventually short flights by 12 weeks of age. We have had mothers caught on barbed wire fences with pups up to 250 gms so it’s not that they can’t fly with the bigger pups, but it is hard work. Until now they have been completely dependent on their mother’s milk. As they gain strength for longer flights they learn to feed on suit and nectar, until they are fully weaned at 5-6 months age. They tend to hang with their own age group before fully joining the adult like of the camp in their third year. |
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MORE INFORMATION |
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