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Flying fox facts

Flying fox facts

Centennial Park visitors have lots of questions about the flying colony at Lachlan Swamp. This is what they typically ask.

Why are the flying foxes awake? I thought they were nocturnal.
 
Flying foxes take lots of naps throughout the day, but need to keep an eye out for predators. They take turns to watch out for each other so some nap whilst others are awake.

Why are they here in the open? Don’t they have a home to hide in? 

Centennial Park is their home! Flying foxes rest hanging upside down in trees, they don’t make a nest or hide in a tree hollow.

Will they attack? 

Only if you try to pick one up, it will try to defend itself.

Can I get sick from flying foxes? I hear they have lots of diseases. 

Flying foxes can get diseases and pass them on to humans if they bite us BUT you won’t get bitten unless you pick them up. Wildlife carers are vaccinated against those diseases.

What do they eat? 

Flying foxes eat mostly nectar, also fruit juice and sometimes insects.

How do they drink? 

They usually get enough moisture from the things they eat, but on evenings after hot days you will see them flying low over the pond to dip their bellies in the water, then fly back up into the trees to lick the water off their fur. If they fall in the pond, they can swim!

Read Seven things to love about flying foxes to find out more about these fascinating mammals. 

Flying fox facts activities

  • With reference to the page Seven things to love about flying foxes, and other information on this page, compose a blog post or 30 second video blog titled ‘Five fascinating facts about flying foxes’. In the post, outline five features, behaviours, adaptations or facts about flying foxes.
  • Generate a mind map or flow chart to illustrate the important role of flying foxes in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.