Why This Leathery Megabat is Wrapped Up Like a Burrito

The Malayan flying fox has many names, including the greater flying fox, kalong, and large fruit bat. Its most accurate name is the latter because the Malayan flying fox is not actually a fox. It’s one of the largest megabat species in the world and goes by the scientific name of Pteropus vampyrus. Despite its scientific description, it’s not a bloodsucker, making this bat full of contradictions. Could this tiny Dracula be as adorable in the wild as in this video by @lubeebatconservancy? Let’s find out.

This Little Vampire Avoids Sunlight

Malayan flying foxes are primarily nocturnal, which explains why this bat hides from the sun. The bat in the video uses its wing to cover its face, which seems very vampiric in nature. However, there’s another reason these bats do this: to conserve warmth. Bats like this one wrap their wings around their bodies to keep heat from escaping. This is more common on chilly days or in inclement weather, especially in an exposed habitat like this one.

Since this conservancy is in Florida, this bat, in particular, might be trying to conserve warmth in the early morning hours. Or, it could just be sheltering its face from the sun. Either way, its wings are vital to body regulation. On hot days, bats expand and flap their wings to encourage airflow. If this bat were too hot, it would be panting or licking its fur to cool down. Judging by this video, this guy was likely just getting comfy before a daytime nap.

Hanging Loose

Although the Malayan flying fox looks like something out of Nosferatu, hanging upside has a surprising benefit. It’s instinctive for bats like this one to hang from their feet. Taking flight is far easier at this angle, where their upside-down angle helps them gain momentum. It’s almost like having a running start, which helps them in the wild when hunting or evading predators. Dropping down from this height gives their wings the lift they need to fly. Taking off from an upright or standing position is far more difficult without it.

The Malayan flying fox has talons specially made for this. Their talons contract as they cling to a tree branch or, in this case, the top of their enclosure. These are connected to their bodies rather than their feet. The downward pull of their bodies pulls on the tendons connected to their talons, which clench them, creating a firm anchor. When they take off, the lack of weight from their bodies allows their tendons to retract and free them from their perch. This is also their natural position for roosting, which is what we see the Malayan flying fox doing in this video.

Not a True Dracula

Contrary to their perceived nature, the Malayan flying fox is not a true Dracula. Despite their name, these bats are not related to vampire bats. In fact, they’re completely vegetarian! These bats are fed a well-rounded diet at a conservation like this one. Their diets consist mainly of tropical fruits, figs, avocados, foliage, and nectar.

Malayan flying foxes use their sense of smell when foraging to locate food. They also have excellent eyesight, which helps them find food at dawn and dusk. According to the Columbus Zoo, Malayan flying foxes are also pollinators. Pollen sticks to their fur when they feed on nectar, and they pollinate flowers like oversized bumblebees.