Order Chiroptera Higher classification Acerodon | Phylum Chordata Family Pteropodidae Scientific name Acerodon celebensis Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Talaud flying fox, Sunda flying fox, Acerodon, Sulawesi harpy fruit bat, Western Naked‑backed Fruit Bat | ||
The Sulawesi flying fox or Sulawesi fruit bat (Acerodon celebensis) is a species of megabat endemic to Indonesia. It is classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN due to unsustainable levels of hunting.
Contents
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to the Sulawesi, Butan, and several smaller Indonesian islands (Mangole, Sanana, Siau, Sangihe, Selayar). It prefers lowland habitats with an elevation of up to 1,500 m asl.
Ecology
The Sulawesi flying fox is a frugivore, feeding preferentially on coconuts and breadfruits. The species roosts in trees, often in mangrove forests, and is somewhat sensitive to human disturbance. Roosting sites may be shared with the Black flying fox, which occupies the lower branches, while the Sulawesi flying fox keeps to the higher ones. Pups are born between February to March.
Conservation
The species is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Populations are declining primarily due to pressure from local hunting for home consumption and the bushmeat trade. Known roosting sites are heavily exploited, and the lack of official protection means that roosting trees may also be cut down. The Sulawesi flying fox is now regionally extinct in North Sulawesi because of overhunting.