Christmas Island Flying Fox Habitat

Conservation of the christmas island flying fox project.

Christmas island flying fox habitat. The model predicted that 12 of the overall council land area is deemed to be suitable for flying fox roosts. While our abundant land crabs are the main animal drawcard we also boast incredible birds fantastic marine life and several rare mammals and reptiles. Surveys suggest the species has declined by approximately 35 over the last 6 years. Christmas island flying foxes eat the fruit and blossom of rainforest trees including the flowers of coconut palms.

A subspecies of the black eared flying fox the critically endangered christmas island flying fox is the island s only remaining native mammal. These bats can weigh up to 500 grams. Christmas island covid 19 frequently asked questions christmas island is a haven for wildlife on land in the sky and under the sea. It is believed to have suffered periods of decline in recent decades but the drivers of the decline are not clearly understood.

Within that footprint 27 of the suitable area was considered to be in high conflict. Christmas island s only native mammal the christmas island flying fox hangs out in large groups called camps which can be several hundred members strong. The christmas island flying fox or christmas island fruit bat as the name suggests is a flying fox endemic to christmas island it is unclear if it should be considered a distinct species pteropus natalis or a subspecies of the black eared flying fox p. While the threats driving this decline are poorly understood it is timely to consider management actions that may improve the long term.

2 3 4 the critically endangered christmas island flying fox is an important focus for conservation on christmas island as it is the last surviving endemic mammal species and probably plays an important ecological role. Melanotus natalis it may descend from a population of island flying foxes from pulau panjang near java. Roughly a quarter of the species habitat has been lost since the late 1880s due to mining and other developments. Christmas island flying foxes live in the rainforest.

The critically endangered christmas island flying fox is an important focus for conservation on christmas island as it is the last surviving endemic mammal species and probably plays an important ecological role. Christmas island flying foxes are vulnerable to loss of feeding and roosting habitat. The christmas island flying fox is an endemic bat to christmas island. They are important pollinators on the island feeding on the fruits and flowers of dozens of plant species including the japanese cherry muntingia calabura and tropical almond terminalia.

The conflict area was established based on proximity to building with low conflict defined as over 300 metres from a roost site.