posted September 27, 2007 05:37 AM         

Jake Esselstyn, a biologist with the University of Kansas, was among a team of researchers that found the animal, a type of fruit bat, last year while surveying forest life on the island of Mindoro (see Philippines map).

"When we first arrived on Mindoro, a local resident that we hired as a guide described the bat to me in great detail, and he asked me what it was called," Esselstyn said.

"I politely told him that there was no such bat. I was wrong."

Several days into the survey, the scientists accidentally captured a creature in a net that fit the guide's description: a large flying fox with bright orange fur and distinctive white stripes across its brow and jaw.

"Our guide's description of the animal was quite accurate, and I had to apologize for not believing him," Esselstyn said, adding that the animal is now known as the Mindoro stripe-faced fruit bat.

In his own defense, the scientist pointed out that the species' closest known relative lives some 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) away on an island in Indonesia.

"It makes you wonder if there are other related species on islands between [the two]," he said.

"It also makes you realize how there are probably many more species which have yet to be discovered—in the Philippines and elsewhere," Esselstyn added.

"This discovery emphasizes the need for a great deal more basic biodiversity inventory research."

—Blake de Pastino

*Does anyone else think this thing is cute?
I'm sure if it was found in my home it would give me quite a fright though, LOL!

posted September 27, 2007 05:58 AM         

quote:

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"This discovery emphasizes the need for a great deal more basic biodiversity inventory research."

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I agree and I disagree as well......

Agree to the point that it would actually help us in the coming days to understand and help the nature...

posted September 27, 2007 12:15 PM         

~ http://www.batconservation.org/content/Spec.fruitbatrescue.html ~

.. from that page ...

" The rescue project takes place in Milla Milla, Australia. The months of October through December are the most crucial because mother spectacled flying foxes give birth to their young ones, unfortunately this is also the time when the ticks bite. The bats get bit and fall to the ground, injuring both themselves and their pups. Bats are medicated and placed in a hospital. Babies are taken away from their mothers and hand-fed by volunteers every 2-4 hours around the clock. After mother bats recover from the paralysis and injuries, the mothers and babies are reunited and released. Baby flying foxes and their families (called camps) stay together for life. Camps can consist of hundreds of thousands of bats. Mother bats will teach their babies everything they need to know about being a flying fox. She will teach them where to find the tastiest fruit and how to avoid predators. Father bats roost along the edge of the colony to make sure the mothers and babies are safe from any harm. "
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~ http://www.bellingen.com/flyingfoxes/bats_or_flying_foxes.htm ~

.. from that page ...

" They are called bats, fruit bats and flying foxes Š itÕs all the same animal. I think they should be called flying monkeys because they are biologically so close to us and to monkeys, and no relation to foxes. They could be classified as primates but they are classified in the bat family, called megabats, as distinct from microbats which are the little insect eating animals that fly around using sound, or echolocation, in place of eyesight."

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http://www.onarr.com.au/become_a_carer.htm

must admit i've a soft spot for the furry flying creatures ..
can't find it on google .. but i did see a video of a woman hand rearing flying foxes ..
the f'foxes seemed quite happy and sociable in their own way ..
i.e. between human and f'fox ..
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and between f'foxes .. :-)

posted September 27, 2007 12:37 PM         

The Mindoro bat is much cuter than most bats as are the ones in HD's videos and pictures. Has a very cute face.

posted September 27, 2007 02:25 PM         

i'd be hoping for a nectar/pollen consumer ..

.. from the belligen page ..
" The name "fruit bat" may refer to the fact that they look like dark fruit hanging in trees. It is a pity that it gives the impression that their main diet is fruit when in fact these in Bellingen concentrate more on nectar and pollen."

the Mindoro Stripe-Faced almost looks dragonish .. ;-) .. 'n .. it's got the cutest face of the foxbats ..

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