Seychelles Fruit Bat: where and when to see them

The Seychelles fruit bat is a large flying fox native to western Indian Ocean islands, including Seychelles. Its foxlike face, broad wings and often golden-brown shoulder fur distinguish it from small insect-eating bats. It is an important mobile consumer of fruit and nectar, helping transport pollen and seeds through island landscapes. Although globally assessed as Least Concern, hunting, disturbance and habitat change can still affect populations locally.

Size

20–25 cm head-and-body length; approximately 1 m wingspan

Weight

400–700 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Fruit bats rest hanging from branches in tree roosts, where individuals may vocalize, groom and adjust their spacing. Feeding flights often become conspicuous toward evening, although daytime movement is not unusual in Seychelles. At fruiting trees they use their feet and wing claws to clamber among branches. They chew fruit to extract juice and soft material, then discard fibrous remnants rather than swallowing every part. They maintain social bonds within roosts through various vocalizations and physical interactions like allogrooming. During feeding, they often hang upside down using their feet, sometimes gripping branches with their wing claws for stability. Their daily activity patterns include periods of rest, grooming, and social interaction within their communal roosts before foraging flights commence.

• Flying foxes navigate primarily using vision and smell rather than the ultrasonic echolocation typical of many small bats.
• They often spit out compact pellets of chewed fruit fibre.
• A claw on the second wing digit helps with climbing.
• Daylight flights are a familiar feature of fruit bat activity in Seychelles.

Fruit bats are resident and can be watched throughout the year. Calm late afternoons often provide the clearest views of commuting animals. April to May and October to November can be comfortable for coastal observation, but fruiting trees determine local feeding activity. Peak fruit abundance, which often dictates feeding activity, can vary locally based on rainfall patterns and specific tree species. The dry season typically offers stable weather for viewing. Although resident, their visibility can fluctuate with local fruit availability, sometimes leading to temporary movements between areas.

They use forest, wooded valleys, coastal trees, plantations and fruit-rich gardens, provided suitable roosts and feeding sites remain available. Large trees are particularly important. Bats may cross open coastal areas during travel, but treeless beaches do not provide their principal habitat. They are highly adaptable and thrive in both natural and human-modified landscapes across the main granitic islands of the Seychelles. Maternity roosts are often found in dense foliage that offers protection from predators and the elements. These bats are generally found from sea level up to the highest peaks of the islands.

Fruit, nectar and pollen form the main diet, including figs and other seasonally abundant tree crops. Individuals may travel between feeding patches as resources change. Their feeding supports seed dispersal and pollination, though visits to cultivated fruit can create conflict with growers. While fruit is primary, they also consume flowers and young leaves during periods of fruit scarcity, demonstrating dietary flexibility. Over 25 plant species contribute to their diet, highlighting their generalist feeding habits within the diverse island flora. Their digestive process and subsequent dropping of seeds are crucial for the regeneration and health of Seychelles' forests.

Common name

Seychelles Fruit Bat

Scientific name

Pteropus seychellensis

Animal group

Mammals

Size

20–25 cm head-and-body length; approximately 1 m wingspan

Weight

400–700 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its large size, foxlike muzzle and broad wings distinguish it from the much smaller Seychelles sheath-tailed bat, which has a very different insect-catching flight style. Their large, dark eyes and relatively short, pointed ears are also distinguishing features. The fur color can vary slightly, but is typically dark brown to reddish-brown on the back, with a paler underside and a yellowish mantle around the neck. Unlike insectivorous bats, they lack the complex nose leaves or ear structures designed for echolocation.