Conservation Status: Least Concern
Range: Wide spread across most of Australia, the smallest of our flying-foxes and the most nomadic. Little reds may be found in northern Victoria, along the east coast of Australia, across the Northern Territory and down in to Western Australia.
Following native species as they come into bloom the little red, can travel vast distances, which take them across many river systems and arid regions.
In 1968 & again in 1986, little reds have been seen as far inland as northern South Australia. In 1927 there was even a sighting in New Zealand. Little red have also been noted as far north as the south coast of Papua New Guinea.
Description: The smallest of our Australian flying-foxes, the Little Red, named for it's colour, has reddish to light brown fur and hairless legs. The head has grey flecks that can extend down the back. Creamy yellow patches cover the back of the neck and shoulder to the elbow. Wing membrane, is a reddish-brown colouring and appears semi-transparent when extended for flight. Exposed flesh has a similar reddish-brown colouration.
Life Span: 16 years
Adult Weight: 300 - 600gms
Forearm Length: 120 - 140mm
Body Length: 195 - 235mm
Roosting Preference: Because of the little reds' nomadic life style, they move according to the availability of food. In summer months their temporary camp usually only occupied for 4 - 6 weeks, can being as high as 1,000,000 closely packed little individuals.
Unlike other flying-fox species, little reds' prefer to huddle tightly together. These clusters can actually break branches as thick as 20cm in diameter.
Little reds' have a broad range of habitats and can be found in tropical and subtropical forest, semi-arid regions, paper-bark swamps and monsoon forests, which are commonly found beside water.
Diet: Principally nectivorous, little reds' will feed on blossoms from most trees and shrubs. Because of the erratic flowering of Eucalypt trees and environment conditions, they have learnt to take advantage of what is available. Besides blossoms, little red's diet includes fruit, sap & insects. When times are tough, they will take advantage of commercial fruit crops. More on what Little Red flying-foxes eat can be found here.
Reproduction: Conception occurs in the months of November to January and gestation lasts for 5 months. Males have a harem of 2-5 females and will defend them from other suitors. A single pup is born in the months of April to May.
For the first several weeks the pup is highly dependent on their mother. The father plays no role in raising the young. Unable to thermo regulate, they cling to the nipple for security while the mother forages for food on nightly flights. If the pup lets go of the nipple, this could me certain death.
Around four to five weeks of age, pups begin thermo-regulate and are left behind in the camp, rather reluctantly by the mother, under the watchful eye of the elder members of the camp. Upon returning, the female will suckle the pup during the day. If not feeding too far from the camp, the female may return to suckle the pup during the night.
Young flying-foxes are capable of flight from about 8 weeks of age, but remain dependant on their mother for another 3 months while learning where to find food. Pups are not weaned until for several months and live semi-independent lives while learning skills they will see them through the rest of the lives.
Sexual maturity is reached around 18 months of age.
Range: Wide spread across most of Australia, the smallest of our flying-foxes and the most nomadic. Little reds may be found in northern Victoria, along the east coast of Australia, across the Northern Territory and down in to Western Australia.
Following native species as they come into bloom the little red, can travel vast distances, which take them across many river systems and arid regions.
In 1968 & again in 1986, little reds have been seen as far inland as northern South Australia. In 1927 there was even a sighting in New Zealand. Little red have also been noted as far north as the south coast of Papua New Guinea.
Description: The smallest of our Australian flying-foxes, the Little Red, named for it's colour, has reddish to light brown fur and hairless legs. The head has grey flecks that can extend down the back. Creamy yellow patches cover the back of the neck and shoulder to the elbow. Wing membrane, is a reddish-brown colouring and appears semi-transparent when extended for flight. Exposed flesh has a similar reddish-brown colouration.
Life Span: 16 years
Adult Weight: 300 - 600gms
Forearm Length: 120 - 140mm
Body Length: 195 - 235mm
Roosting Preference: Because of the little reds' nomadic life style, they move according to the availability of food. In summer months their temporary camp usually only occupied for 4 - 6 weeks, can being as high as 1,000,000 closely packed little individuals.
Unlike other flying-fox species, little reds' prefer to huddle tightly together. These clusters can actually break branches as thick as 20cm in diameter.
Little reds' have a broad range of habitats and can be found in tropical and subtropical forest, semi-arid regions, paper-bark swamps and monsoon forests, which are commonly found beside water.
Diet: Principally nectivorous, little reds' will feed on blossoms from most trees and shrubs. Because of the erratic flowering of Eucalypt trees and environment conditions, they have learnt to take advantage of what is available. Besides blossoms, little red's diet includes fruit, sap & insects. When times are tough, they will take advantage of commercial fruit crops. More on what Little Red flying-foxes eat can be found here.
Reproduction: Conception occurs in the months of November to January and gestation lasts for 5 months. Males have a harem of 2-5 females and will defend them from other suitors. A single pup is born in the months of April to May.
For the first several weeks the pup is highly dependent on their mother. The father plays no role in raising the young. Unable to thermo regulate, they cling to the nipple for security while the mother forages for food on nightly flights. If the pup lets go of the nipple, this could me certain death.
Around four to five weeks of age, pups begin thermo-regulate and are left behind in the camp, rather reluctantly by the mother, under the watchful eye of the elder members of the camp. Upon returning, the female will suckle the pup during the day. If not feeding too far from the camp, the female may return to suckle the pup during the night.
Young flying-foxes are capable of flight from about 8 weeks of age, but remain dependant on their mother for another 3 months while learning where to find food. Pups are not weaned until for several months and live semi-independent lives while learning skills they will see them through the rest of the lives.
Sexual maturity is reached around 18 months of age.
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