Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat

Afrikaans name: Wahlbergse vrugtevlermuis

Photo © Steven Herbert

Epomophorus wahlbergi

The Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat is a large bat and, as it name implies, it predominantly eats fruit. It feeds off trees such as Sycamore Figs and Jackal-berry but it also does eat some insects.

These bats spend their days in large trees or thick bush and, sometimes, under roofs of man-made structures. If you visit Skukuza Camp, in Kruger National Park, you may see them hanging from the roof above you while you eat outside.

These bats may be found in large numbers where there is an abundance of fruit.

During November and December females give birth to a single young.

References and further reading

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 34

The Smaller Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. De V. Pienaar et al - Published: 1980 - Page: 25

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 83

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 420

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 16

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 207

Flying Mammals - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2021 - Page: 7

Flying Mammals - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2021 - Page: 11

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 32

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 48

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 304

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 50

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 48

Wikipedia - Epomophorus wahlbergi

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List of South African Mammals