A subspecies of the black-eared flying fox, the critically endangered Christmas Island flying fox is the island’s only remaining native mammal.

These bats can weigh up to 500 grams. They have black or dark-brown fur peppered with greyish-white hairs.

Christmas Island flying foxes live in the rainforest. They usually roost in groups, which may be up to several hundred bats in size. They breed once a year, giving birth to a single baby after a five-month gestation.

Flying foxes leave their roost several hours before sunset to feed. They forage across the island, feeding on the fruits and flowers of more than 30 different plants. They disperse seeds and pollen as they go, making them an important part of the rainforest ecosystem.

There are around 2000 flying foxes on the island, down from more than 4000 in the 1980s – a decline probably caused in part by feral cats and yellow crazy ants. Conservation programs targeting these pests will hopefully see flying fox numbers stabilise.