Description
Skull, Rousettus leschenaultii, Fruit Bat skull from Indonesia mounted in a Glass Dome. #18
This beetle has been mounted in a Glass Dome that is approximately 2 X 2 3/4 inches. You will receive this specimen or one like it.
Rousettus leschenaultii, commonly known as Leschenault’s Rousette, is a medium-sized fruit bat found across South and Southeast Asia, including several islands of Indonesia. This species belongs to the megabat family, Pteropodidae, a group celebrated for its intelligence, social behavior, and ecological importance.
Unlike many bats that rely on echolocation, Rousettus leschenaultii is one of the few megabats capable of true tongue-click echolocation. Though simpler than that of insect-eating bats, this adaptation allows them to navigate caves in complete darkness—a remarkable evolutionary solution for a fruit-eating species.
These bats are primarily frugivores, feeding on mangoes, figs, bananas, and nectar. As they travel long distances each night, they carry seeds in their gut or on their fur, becoming highly effective seed dispersers. In Indonesian forests, they help regenerate fruiting trees and maintain plant diversity, making them keystone contributors to healthy ecosystems.
Colonies can number in the thousands, often roosting in limestone caves, old temples, or abandoned buildings. Their warm, musky smell and constant social chatter reveal their highly communal nature—individuals groom each other, exchange calls, and rely on group cohesion for protection.
Their fox-like faces, large expressive eyes, and gentle feeding habits show why fruit bats are sometimes called “flying foxes.” Far from being frightening, Rousettus leschenaultii is a vital and beautiful part of Indonesia’s wildlife heritage.
