San Antonio Zoo has announced the arrival of a group of flying foxes, marking their return to the zoo for the first time since the 1980s. The fascinating and endangered species, known as the Large Flying Fox or Malayan Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus), will be making their new home at San Antonio Zoo after being relocated from Zoo Tampa.
The group consists of 7 males and 11 females, each with unique names that reflect their individuality and charm. Among the females are Stella, Esther, Ady, Penny, Leila, Rosa, Jasmine, Marla, Sweet Pea, Fern, and Snapdragon. The males are named Rufio, Bruce, Guapo, Homer, Count, Mickey, and Yoda.
Native to Southeast Asia, the Malayan Flying Fox is one of the largest bat species in the world, boasting an impressive wingspan of up to 5 ½ feet wide and an average weight of 2 pounds. These magnificent creatures play a crucial role as seed dispersers and pollinators of forest trees, feeding on flowers, nectar, and fruit.
"Having flying foxes back at San Antonio Zoo is a significant milestone for us and yet another reason to visit the zoo in 2024," said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. "Not only will visitors have the extraordinary opportunity to witness these magnificent giants up close, but they will also learn about the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species like the Large Flying Fox."
The Malayan Flying Fox is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, emphasizing the importance of their presence in zoos for conservation and education purposes. The head of the species resembles that of a small fox, with distinct features such as long and pointed ears and sharp curved claws—additionally, the large, well-developed eyes of the Flying Fox aid in their flight navigation.
San Antonio Zoo encourages visitors to observe and appreciate the unique behaviors and characteristics of the Flying Fox. The new resident's habitat is located adjacent to the tree-kangaroos. These bats typically roost in emergent trees during the day and embark on nightly flights to reach their feeding grounds. They have fascinating social behavior, forming feeding groups of up to 50 individuals and roosting colonies that can be even larger.
In reproduction, one male leads a small harem of females, and birthing occurs synchronously. Offspring, usually born between March and May, are typically single births and suckle for 2-3 months before becoming nearly mature after 3-4 months.