Five Amazing Facts About Fabulous Flying Foxes!

Flying foxes are some of the most fascinating creatures in Australia! These gentle giants play a crucial role in keeping our environment healthy. Here are five amazing facts about these adorable animals:

1. They Are Super Pollinators

Flying foxes are nature’s gardeners! As they travel from tree to tree, feeding on nectar and fruit, they spread pollen and seeds. This helps new plants grow and keeps our forests thriving.

2. They Have Built-in Sunglasses

Unlike many nocturnal animals, flying foxes don’t rely on echolocation. Instead, they have excellent eyesight, even at night! Their eyes have special adaptations to help them see in low light—just like wearing night vision goggles.

3. They Can Fly Over 50km in a Night

Flying foxes are long-distance travellers! Some species can fly more than 50 kilometres in one night searching for food. This helps spread plant seeds far and wide, making them essential for healthy ecosystems.

4. They Hang Out Upside Down

Flying foxes have strong feet that let them hang upside down comfortably for hours. They even sleep this way! When it’s time to take off, they simply drop from their perch and start flying—no need for a runway!

5. They Are Family-Oriented

Flying foxes are very social animals. They live in large colonies, called camps, where they cuddle, groom each other, and communicate with different sounds. Baby flying foxes (called pups) cling to their mums for the first few months and learn how to be a bat from them.

Flying foxes are gentle, intelligent, and incredibly important for nature. Next time you see one soaring through the sky at sunset, remember—they're helping to keep our planet green!

Want to learn more about Australia’s amazing wildlife? Check out our Wild About Wildlife activity book for puzzles, fun facts, and colouring pages!

Flying fox mum and bub from Douglas Gimesy