The Rodrigues fruit bat originates from Rodrigues Island in the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately deforestation and a series of cyclones almost wiped out the native population and in 1974 there were just 70 left in the wild. Since then much work has been done to breed this fascinating species in captivity and it is now estimated that there are some 2,000 living in collections like this one all over the world.
They have soft, golden brown coloured fur, a body length of 6-8 inches (150-200mm) and a wing span of 2 1/2 - 3 feet (750-900mm). Their dark brown wings are actually thin skin stretched between the fingers and thumb of each hand. Rodrigues fruit bats eat mainly fruit juice; they suck the juice from pieces of fruit and then spit out the pulp.
The Fruit bat lives in harems of up to 8 females per male, many harems roost together and these are called ‘camps’. Females produce one baby once a year; these are weaned at two months and reach maturity at between 1 1/2 and 2 years. Rodrigues fruit bats live up to 15 years in captivity. Bats are the only mammals that fly.
