Head to head
Great Fruit-eating Bat vs Jamaican Fruit Bat
Great Fruit-eating Bat
VS Jamaican Fruit Bat
The great fruit-eating bat and Jamaican fruit bat are close relatives in the genus Artibeus, both facially striped fig-eaters that scatter seeds across the American tropics.
| Great Fruit-eating Bat | Jamaican Fruit Bat | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Artibeus lituratus | Artibeus jamaicensis |
| Relationship | A close relative of the Jamaican fruit bat, in the same genus | A close relative of the great fruit-eating bat, in the same genus |
| Relative size | Larger, one of the biggest bats in its genus | Smaller than the great fruit-eating bat |
| Diet | Mainly ripe fruit such as figs, along with some pollen and leaves | Mainly ripe fruit, especially figs, along with some pollen and leaves |
| Roost | In the foliage of trees and palms, often in small groups | Caves, hollow trees, and other shelters, with males defending small groups of females |
| City life | Has adapted well to parks and gardens, where it feeds on fruiting trees | Not specifically documented |
| Range | Forests, woodland, and gardens from Mexico through Central America to southern Brazil | Forests and woodlands from Mexico through Central America to northern South America and the Caribbean |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, widespread and common | Least Concern, widespread and common |
Great Fruit-eating Bat vs Jamaican Fruit Bat: common questions
Which is bigger, the great fruit-eating bat or the Jamaican fruit bat?
The great fruit-eating bat is larger, though both have pale stripes on the face and feed mainly on ripe fruit such as figs.
Which one lives in cities?
The great fruit-eating bat has adapted well to parks and gardens, where it feeds on fruiting trees.
Where do the great fruit-eating bat and Jamaican fruit bat live?
The great fruit-eating bat lives from Mexico through Central America to southern Brazil, while the Jamaican fruit bat lives from Mexico to northern South America and the Caribbean.