Peters epauletted fruit bat

Introduction: Peter's epauletted bat are mostly found where indigenous fruit-bearing trees grow in particular fig-trees. The dense riverine forests that are found along the Okavango and Chobe Rivers, as well as the Kwando River are such areas.

This particular species often congregate in large colonies, numbering hundreds. A feature is the interaction between neighbouring bat colonies, resulting in a fair amount of noise, centring around roosting space.

Distribution: Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip).

Diet: Fruit from orchards, especially papaya and fig-trees.

Colouring: Externally they are similar in size and appearance to the Angolan epauletted fruit bat.

Size: Average body length: Male 150mm, Female 120mm.

Weight: Males 140g, Female 90g.