Grey-headed Flying Fox

The grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is a megabat native to Australia. The genus Pteropus currently has over 60 recognised species, which include the largest bats in the world.

Pteropus is primarily an island taxon, with 55 species having some or all of their distribution on islands. Only nine species are found in continental areas (five in Asia and four in Australia), and three (Lyle's flying fox Pteropus lylei, little red flying fox Pteropus scapulatus and the grey-headed flying fox) are restricted to continents. The grey-headed flying fox is very long-lived for a mammal of its size. There are reports of individuals surviving in captivity for up to 22 years, and a maximum age of up to 15 years seems possible in the wild.

Read more about Grey-headed Flying Fox:  Physical Characteristics, Ecology, Conservation, Gallery

Famous quotes containing the words flying and/or fox:

    The savage soul of game is up at once—
    The pack full-opening various, the shrill horn
    Resounded from the hills, the neighing steed
    Wild for the chase, and the loud hunter’s shout—
    O’er a weak, harmless, flying creature, all
    Mixed in mad tumult and discordant joy.
    James Thomson (1700–1748)

    How much the greatest event it is that ever happened in the world! and how much the best!
    —Charles James Fox (1749–1806)