Head to head
Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat vs Indian Flying Fox
Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat
VS Indian Flying Fox
The greater short-nosed fruit bat and Indian flying fox are both fruit bats of South Asia that spread seeds and pollinate flowers, but one is a small garden species and the other a giant of the treetops.
| Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat | Indian Flying Fox | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cynopterus sphinx | Pteropus giganteus |
| Size | A small fruit bat with a short, broad muzzle and large dark eyes | Among the largest bats alive, with a wingspan well over a metre |
| Roosting | Small groups of a male and several females, in foliage, caves, and buildings, and sometimes in leaf tents | Large, noisy colonies of thousands hanging from exposed treetops by day |
| Diet | Ripe fruit such as figs and guavas, along with nectar and flowers | Fruit, nectar, and flowers |
| Senses | Not specifically documented | Does not use echolocation, relying on strong night vision and a keen sense of smell |
| People | Common in gardens, orchards, and towns across its range | Declining in some regions from hunting and habitat loss |
| Range | India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia | The Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, with a decreasing population |
Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat vs Indian Flying Fox: common questions
Which is bigger, the greater short-nosed fruit bat or the Indian flying fox?
The Indian flying fox, which is among the largest bats alive, with a wingspan well over a metre.
Which one makes leaf tents?
The greater short-nosed fruit bat, which sometimes roosts in shelters it makes by biting palm and other leaves so that they fold.
Where do the greater short-nosed fruit bat and Indian flying fox live?
The greater short-nosed fruit bat lives in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, while the Indian flying fox lives across the Indian subcontinent.