 |
|
  RSS Feed |
The Fiji Blossom bat is quite small, with body size (nose-tip to anus) ranging from 98-110 mm in males; 95-107 mm in females. One of the distinguishing features of this bat is that it has an elongate muzzle, and a very long, free tail which resembles that of a mouse. The wings meet in the back midline, giving the back a wrinkled appearance. back to top  This bat is restricted to Vanuatu and Fiji. Within Fiji, the Fiji Blossom bat is only found on three islands: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni. On Viti Levu, they are known to roost in the Tatuba caves, Wailotua caves and Kalabu caves. back to top The Fiji Blossom bat is a nectar feeding bat and is dependent on good forest habitat. There is limited ecological data available. However, it is known to roost in caves with very high ceilings in the thousands in the lowlands. Amazingly, these bats travel all the way to the montane forests (highlands) to forage. These bats are faithful to their roosting sites, with one of the caves in Kalabu having been occupied by Fiji Blossom bats since 1912. Some populations give birth in August – September. back to top The low populations in tourist frequented roosting caves, and deforested areas compared to inaccessible and intact forest areas indicate the negative impact of human visitation and deforestation on these native mammals. Viti Levu possibly only the only island with roosting populations or sites – no roosting sites have been found on Taveuni or Vanua Levu. Predation by introduced mammals such as the mongoose and cat are also a threat to roosting populations.
Hunting for the Fiji Blossom bats is a problem. Because they roost in hundreds, or in thousands in caves, they are more vulnerable and are an easy target for hunters who can kill them in large numbers. The lack of ecological knowledge on this species is in itself an obstacle to determining potential threats and appropriate conservation management issues. back to top The Fijian population probably represents half the global population of this bat which became extinct from Tonga in prehistoric times. While it is not rare in Fiji, bone collections suggest that it was once more widespread than it is today. It is its roosting in caves that makes it vulnerable to predation and hunting, and is therefore listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species. Ideally to conserve this species, hunting and roost site visits should stop. Further research should include searching for roosting sites on Vanua Levu. back to top The Fiji Blossom bat is the world’s only long-tailed cave dwelling fruit-bat, and is found only in Fiji and Vanuatu. The anatomy of the Fiji Blossom bat is one of the most primitive for fruit bats; DNA evidence has shown that nectarivorous bats are distantly related to other fruit-bats. back to top Flannery (1995); Gilbert (1984); Palmeirim et al. (2005); Tarburton (2002); Watling and Pernetta (1978). Front Page Photo: Patrick Pikacha back to top |
 Description
Distribution Habitat, Ecology and Behaviour Threats Conservation Status Remarks and Cultural Significance References  Other species of the Mammal section     Photo taken by: Patrick Pikacha |
