Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large fruit bat with a fox-like head: A "flying fox" is a type of megabat (fruit bat) belonging to the genus Pteropus. It is characterized by its large size, dog-like or fox-like facial features, and its diet consisting primarily of fruit, nectar, and flowers. Unlike smaller microbats, flying foxes do not use echolocation and are generally active at night (nocturnal).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The island is home to a large colony of flying foxes that fill the sky at dusk.
  • Conservationists are working to protect the habitat of the endangered flying fox.
  • We could hear the chattering of the flying foxes in the fig tree.

Advanced Usage

• "Flying fox colony": A large group of flying foxes living together.
  • The noise from the flying fox colony in the city park has concerned some residents.
• Used in ecological and conservation contexts to discuss species preservation, habitat loss, or their role as pollinators and seed dispersers.
  • The flying fox is a crucial pollinator for many rainforest tree species.

Variants and Related Words

• Fruit bat (n): A general term for bats that eat fruit, which includes flying foxes.
• Megabat (n): The scientific family () to which flying foxes belong.
• Pteropus (n): The genus name for flying foxes.

Synonyms

• Fruit bat: A more general synonym.
• Megabat: A scientific synonym referring to the family.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "flying fox" refers specifically to bats of the genus and is not a general term for all bats. The name comes from their fox-like facial structure.
• It should not be confused with the recreational zip-line equipment also called a "flying fox" in some countries (e.g., Australia, New Zealand). That is a different meaning based on a metaphorical comparison to the bat's flight.

Noun

1. large bat with a head that resembles the head of a fox