Pteropodidae

Megabats, belonging to the family Pteropodidae within the order Chiroptera, are also known as fruit bats or flying foxes. They are part of the superfamily Pteropodoidea and consist of six recognized subfamilies, with 197 species described as of 2018. Evolutionary data suggest they originated in Australasia around 31 million years ago, with lineages dispersing to mainland Asia, the Mediterranean, and Africa.

Megabats can be the largest bat species, with some weighing up to 1.45 kg and wingspans reaching 1.7 m. They are distinct for their dog-like faces and reduced tail structures. While most are nocturnal, some are active during the day, roosting in trees or caves, alone or in colonies of up to a million.

Diet primarily consists of fruit, and they have limited echolocation abilities, relying on sight and smell. They have a low reproductive rate, typically giving birth to one young after a four to six-month gestation. A quarter of species are threatened due to habitat loss and overhunting, and they also serve as natural reservoirs for viruses that can impact human health.