The Seychelles Fruit Bat

Something different

Jun 03, 2026

The fruit bat you see in these photographs is the Seychelles flying fox (Pteropus seychellensis), found only in the Seychelles archipelago. It is one of the largest bats in the world, with a wingspan that can reach up to a meter and a half. Despite its size, it is entirely harmless to humans — it feeds exclusively on fruit, nectar and flowers, and plays a critical ecological role as a pollinator and seed disperser across the island forests.

Unlike most bats, the Seychelles flying fox is active during the day as well as at dusk and dawn, which is why it can be seen and photographed in good light. It navigates entirely by sight and smell.

Colonies roost communally in tall trees, hanging upside down by their feet, wrapped in their own wings which act as insulation. In the evening, individuals leave the roost singly or in small groups to forage across the island, sometimes travelling several kilometres in a single night. They have been recorded visiting over 50 species of native plant.

The species is listed as vulnerable. Historically it was hunted for food, and today it faces pressure from habitat loss, cyclones, and — controversially — culling programmes on some islands where farmers consider it a crop pest.

I was told that although it is forbidden, they are used for food - especially curry.

The photographs were taken with a Sony A7r iv and Sony fe 4.5-5.6 70-300mm G lens

This is how we ususually think that bats hang from trees. What is unusual is the orange brown body which contrasts well against ththe black membrane=like wings. The face is appealing and there is no feeling of threat.

The bat that I saw did not remain still and was continuously changing position. It used both the claws on its feet and also the hooks at the end of the wings. Here, it is using one wing hook and both claws.