Northern Blossom-bat

Scientific Name: Macroglossus minimus nanus

Range: Can be found from the Kimberly in Western Australia, across the top of the Northern Territory and into Cape York Queensland. There are limited numbers of this species also found in Asia to the Solomon Islands.

Description: Small in size this flying-fox has a long muzzle and tongue. It's fur is light reddish brown but lighter on the belly. Also, like the Eastern Blossom bat, it has a tail, but smaller, stub like.

Life Span:

Adult Weight: 19.5gms

Forearm Length: 43.0mm

Body Length: 67.0mm     

Roosting Preference:  Roosting alone or in small groups of up to 4, in thick foliage, bamboo thickets, palm fronds, unopened banana leaves and under eaves.

Diet: Mainly feeding on nectar and pollen species, like Melaleuca, Syzygium, Sonneratia and banana blossoms. They will also eat small amounts of fruit from ficus and timonius. Their bats use a lot of energy and enter torpor during the day, which drops their energy consumption by up to 80%.

Reproduction: Young males mature sexually at around 7 months and develop a V shaped sternal gland which produces a prominent odour (similar to the Koala). This little bat can have two pregnancy  a year, sometimes 3. The first, is born between February - March and the second in August - October.

The pup has a fine covering of fur and clings to the mother for up to 10 days before being left in the roost. At 40 days the juvenile is able to fly, but still cling to the mother when she is in the roost until they are at least 6 months old.