Fruit Bat sighting in Randburg, Gauteng.

Enquiry by Nicci Wright; Answers by Julio Balona and Kate MacEwan

 22 September 2010. Nicci Wright

• "One of FreeMe's volunteers who lives in Randburg has photographed 2 bats eating fruit in her garden!!
  I wasn't aware of any of the fruit eating bats occurring in JHB, and would love an informed ID from you!"

Wahlberg Fruit Bat. Photographed 20/09/2010

 

Commentary by Julio Balona

"Thanks for that, it's interesting. That's definitely a Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi).
Somebody told me they think they've seen them in the area a few weeks back. And last year the first indication I had of fruit bats in Jhb was when I heard one calling in a Waverly garden.
These beautiful animals have been in Pretoria for some time and it looks like they are now moving down south, much like the Grey Lourie and other bushveld inhabitants."

Commentary by Kate MacEwan

"Yes, I agree with Julio and say it is a Wahlberg’s. There are 4 species of fruit-eating bats that typically occur in South Africa and from a distribution perspective, only 2 of these species occur in Gauteng:

• African straw-coloured fruit bat
• Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat

The African straw-coloured bat is very distinct in its coloration and appearance and occurs in very large groups.

Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat roosts singly or in small groups in dense foliage of a large, leafy tree and may travel several kilometres each night to reach fruiting trees. It is associated with forest and forest-edge habitats, including riparian forest which extensively incises savannas in the eastern part of the region. It may also penetrate peri-urban areas with extensive wooded gardens. The combination of white patches at the base of the ears and shoulder epaulettes (males) differentiates it from the African straw coloured bat. The only bat that has a similar appearance is Peter’s epauletted bat, which occurs further north and in drier climates. Great Photo!"

 

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