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    Cynopterus – Short-nosed fruit bats

    Represents the smaller, subtler side of flying foxes

    One of the most widespread and adaptable groups of fruit bats in Asia. Belonging to the family Pteropodidae (the flying fox family), these bats are found across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, and southern China. Unlike their larger flying fox cousins, which can look imposing with wingspans over a meter, Cynopterus bats are small to medium-sized, making them more subtle but just as important ecologically.

    Members of the Cynopterus genus are typically fuzzy, fox-faced bats with short muzzles, large dark eyes, and soft brown or grayish fur. Their faces are strikingly similar to those of small dogs or foxes, which is why fruit bats are often nicknamed “flying foxes.” Unlike the long, narrow snouts of nectar-feeding bats, the short muzzle makes them well-adapted for chewing fruit pulp and spreading seeds rather than sipping nectar.

    Ecologically, Cynopterus bats are seed dispersers and pollinators extraordinaire. They feed mainly on fruits such as figs, bananas, mangoes, guavas, flowers, and nectar. Instead of swallowing all the fruit, they chew the pulp to extract juices and spit out the fibrous remains, spreading seeds far from the parent trees. This makes them critical forest gardeners, helping regenerate tropical forests and maintain plant diversity. Their nightly flights can transport seeds over long distances, connecting fragmented forest patches in ways other animals often cannot.

    Socially, these bats are fascinating. Many species of Cynopterus roost in small groups in trees, caves, or even man-made structures like rooftops. Some species create “tent roosts” by chewing and folding large palm leaves into shelter-like structures—a form of natural architecture that provides shade and camouflage during the day. Colonies can include harems of one male with multiple females, or looser social groups, depending on the habitat. At night, they leave their roosts searching for fruiting trees, often traveling considerable distances despite their small size.