Grey-headed flying foxes
Grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) are one of the largest Australian bats, weighing up to 1 kg and having a wingspan of up to 1 metre. During the day you may see them in large groups known as ‘camps’ roosting upside-down in trees, and at night they leave their camp at dusk to forage for food before returning at dawn. They can sometimes be seen up to 20 km away from their camp while foraging.
Grey-headed flying foxes have been visiting South Australia for decades from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, but it wasn't until 2010 that they established a permanent camp in Botanic Park in Adelaide. This is thought to be due to a combination of factors including habitat loss, competition for food resources and the effects of climate change. The Botanic Park camp has been growing in size, with the number of flying foxes using the camp exceeding an estimated 50,000.
There are also smaller camps in the southeast near Millicent, Naracoorte and Mount Gambier. Small camps have also been recorded at Port Augusta and Port Pire. Sightings of grey-headed flying foxes have also been recorded across the Eyre Peninsula, suggesting they are now travelling further west.
There are 4 species of flying fox found in mainland Australia. Grey-headed flying foxes now call South Australia home. Both black, and little red flying foxes have also been recorded in SA.
Grey-headed flying foxes are herbivores and feed on nectar and pollen from native trees such as eucalypts and banksias, as well as fruit from native and introduced species.
They are a protected native species and a listed threatened species that is rare in South Australia and vulnerable nationally. Their population is threatened by climate change and a loss of habitat.
They have a slow reproductive rate and typically give birth to only one pup each year between September and November. The pups are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures and have a high rate of death in the first years of life during hot weather.
Sadly, they can become tangled in fencing and fruit tree netting, leading to injury and death. If building fencing, consider the need to use barbed wire. Also, use wildlife friendly netting wherever possible.
Some flying foxes carry diseases, including Australian bat lyssavirus and the Hendra virus. Flying foxes generally pose no human health risks unless a person is bitten or scratched, so it is very important that you never handle any species of bat, even if injured or dead.
While Australian bat lyssavirus must be taken seriously, infection with it is rare and there is no risk if you avoid touching bats. The virus is spread commonly through a bite or scratch, but also through exposure to bat saliva through the eyes, nose or mouth. It is not spread through bat droppings or urine, so you are not exposed to the virus if a flying fox flies overhead, feeds or roosts in your garden, or if you visit or live near a camp.
Hendra virus is another rare disease that can be carried by bats. Hendra virus has been recorded in flying-foxes, horses and humans but there is no evidence of direct Hendra virus transmission from bats to humans. Unvaccinated, infected horses are the only known source of Hendra virus risk to humans. There have been no cases of Hendra virus in South Australia.
Remember, do not touch the flying fox yourself. If you find an injured or dead flying fox contact a wildlife rescue organisation such as Fauna Rescue or Bat Rescue SA. These groups have volunteer carers who are vaccinated and permitted to rescue them.
Follow the advice from SA Health about staying safe around bats and what to do if you are scratched or bitten or come into contact with bat saliva.
Flying foxes typically travel about 20 km from their camp each night in search of food, so you may occasionally find them foraging on your property. Common flying fox impacts include:
- damage to trees, flowers, fruits
- droppings falling on roofs, cars and washing causing mess and odour
- noise
- disturbance of trees leading to an increase in leaf litter.
While they can be noisy and messy, their visits are usually transient as they will move on once their food supply has been diminished.
Flying foxes do sometimes travel more than 20 km from their camp in search of other food sources. It’s not unusual for them to sleep away from the camp when making longer exploratory trips. However if flying foxes are sleeping on your property during the day for several days in a row, please email wildlife@sa.gov.au as we are always interested in these observations and potential new camps or changes in their movements.
Grey-headed flying foxes are considered rare in South Australia, and the population needs our support. Read on for our suggestions on how best to live with grey-headed flying foxes:
- Deter with loud noises e.g. banging pots and pans
- Use Wildlife friendly netting
- Keep any fruit or habitat trees pruned and trimmed
- Bag individual clumps of fruit with brown paper or hessian bags
- Remove unwanted fruit early from trees e.g. from palm trees
- Place reflective or shiny deterrents such as CDs or aluminium strips in tree branches
- Lights or lasers can also sometimes deter bats from visiting trees
- Cover areas and items under feeding trees if possible
- Bring washing in overnight if it is being marked by flying fox waste.
These techniques may help to deter grey-headed flying foxes foraging and protect the assets on your property. The department generally does not support relocation or disturbance of flying fox camps, however please contact wildlife@sa.gov.au if you require more information.
Grey-headed flying foxes are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. It is an offence to catch, interfere with, harass or kill protected wildlife under the NPW Act. The ill treatment of animals, which includes death or serious harm, is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1985. Under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 it is an offence to remove some vegetation that may comprise wildlife habitat.
Grey headed flying foxes are also listed as national vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Wild facts
- Flying foxes play an important role in helping conserve our many native plant species by dispersing native seeds and pollen.
- Bats can swim! You may see them drinking from the River Torrens on a hot day.
- Flying foxes love fruit, in particular figs, and are often called fruit bats.
- In their first few weeks of life flying fox pups cling to their mothers for warmth while they go out foraging at night. They are then left at night in a crèche within the camp until they are old enough to fly out with the adults.
