Wildlife

Giant golden-crowned flying fox | |
|[pic] |
|Conservation status |
|[pic]|
|Endangered |

Giant Golden-crowned Flying-fox.
The Giant golden-crowned flying-fox (Acerodon jubatus), also known as the Golden-capped fruit bat, is arare fruit bat and considered the largest known bat in the world. The species is endangered and is currently facing the possibility of extinction due to poachers and food hunters. They are endemic tothe Philippines, where they live in the caves and rainforests of Maitum, Sarangani.
Description
The flying foxes are so named because of their facial likeness to a fox. The Giant Golden-crownedFlying-fox is a prime example for this name. They have a long pointed snout compared to the Microchiroptera, and small ears that form an unbroken ring, giving them the appearance of a fox with wings. Theyare considered the largest of all bats, with a wingspan average of 1.5 meters (5 feet) and weighing up to 1.2 kg (2.6 lb), though the Large Flying Fox has a greater wingspan.
Habitat
The GiantGolden-crowned Flying-fox is confined to the rainforests of the Philippines. They have been found in many different areas of rainforest from sea-level to montane forests. Acerodon jubatus preferuninhabited areas. A 2005 study found none in inhabited areas. The same study also revealed that these bats use river corridors more than originally thought, because the fig trees located near rivers are thebats main source of food.
Behavior
The Giant Golden Crowned Flying fox is primarily nocturnal, and can travel at least 40 km (25 miles) in one night searching for food. One amazing behavior of thisbat is that it is a pollinator and seed disperser for many fruit trees in the Philippines. Another interesting fact about this bat and a possible reason it lives near water is that it uses water for...