Fruit bats, the flying foxes from Madagascar

Flying foxes are not only found in Madagascar, but also in the rainforests of other tropical countries. However, their evolutionary history lies in the dark despite some fossil finds. Most scientists believe that fruit bats and bats have a common ancestor. It is believed that it was a small mammal that glided from tree to tree with the help of its membrane wings. Other researchers believe that bats had insectivorous ancestors, while fruit bats descended from a later evolved lineage. Flying foxes and bats differ primarily in size. For example, the wingspan of fruit bats can be up to one meter. Also, unlike bats, they do not have an ultrasonic orientation system, but do have a excellent vision. One recognizes the "flying foxes"as they are called in English, by their head, which actually reminds of a fox, and their reddish-brown fur.

Fruit bats are vegetarian and feed exclusively on fruit. Some tribes of the island hunt these animals to eat them afterwards. In the beliefs of other communities, hunting the flying foxes has a fady, a religious prohibition. Especially well you can see these amazing animals on Nosy be and the surrounding islands, in the Berenty Reserve and Ankarana N.P., at Andasibe observe in the wild.