Macroglossus minimus in a Frame

Macroglossus minimus

Long-tongued nectar bat

South East Asia

8"x10" Black Shadow Box

This bat is a species of megabat. M. minimus is one of the smallest species in the family Pteropodidae, with an average length of 60–85 mm. It has a reddish-brown colouring with relatively long hair compared to the other species. The hair on the abdomen is a lighter colour, and a dark brown stripe runs bilaterally down the top of the head and back.

M. minimus represents about 14% of the total fruit bats in South East Asia.

 It feeds on nectar and pollen, which it can obtain from mangroves and banana flowers.