Wildlifeof Vietnam
Leschenault's Rousette
Bats
Photo: Tom Heijnen · CC BY 4.0
Rousettus leschenaultii
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Diet
Fruit, nectar and flowers
Habitat
Tropical forest to urban areas; roosts in caves, tunnels and old buildings
Size
9.5-12cm head and body, forearm 7.5-8.5cm
Leschenault's rousette is brown to grey-brown with lighter underparts, long pale hairs under the chin, an elongated muzzle and large dark eyes. Head and body are 9.5 to 12 cm, with a forearm of about 7.5 to 8.5 cm and a very short tail. It was first described by Desmarest in 1820 (Wikipedia, general species account).
It lives in habitats from tropical forest to towns, roosting in caves, abandoned buildings and tunnels, often in colonies of up to several thousand. It eats fruit, nectar and flowers. The species ranges from Iran east to Java, Bali and Sumatra, including Vietnam.
Quick answers
- What does the Leschenault's Rousette eat?
- Fruit, nectar and flowers
- What habitat does the Leschenault's Rousette live in?
- Tropical forest to urban areas; roosts in caves, tunnels and old buildings
- How big is the Leschenault's Rousette?
- 9.5-12cm head and body, forearm 7.5-8.5cm