Animals & Exhibits

Ruwenzori Long-hair Fruit Bat

Rousettus lanosus

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

This medium-sized bat has long, shaggy hair with a fine, wooly fur on its belly. Like other fruit bats, the Ruwenzori has large brown eyes, a second claw on its wings and funnel-shaped ears. The bat is about six inches long and weighs about six ounces.

HABITAT

They live in the mountains and hills of Eastern Africa and Madagascar where fruit is available. They live in caves and comes out to eat.

DIET IN THE WILD

This bat eats any soft fruits and fruit nectar it can find.

BEHAVIOR

The Ruwenzori long-hair fruit bat is a social, and keeps company with hundreds of its friends. Although bats are thought to be exclusively nocturnal, they are diurnal; they are active during the day and sleep in at night. They spend considerable time grooming themselves, combing their fur with their claws. They communicate a great deal with one another, and their chatter in caves can be heard from quite a distance.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Since they are plentiful and stable; there are no conservation efforts currently in place.

LIFE SPAN

They can live up to 8 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.