Rousettus aegyptiacus

The Egyptian Fruit Bat is a fairly small species that is only 9 inches long with a wingspread of 16 to 20 inches and weighing 3 to 6 ounces. Males are noticeably larger then females. The coloring is uniformly brownish with the underparts lighter. Egyptian Fruit Bats have a muzzle that is long and pointed. Their eyes are large and their ears, which are simple and erect, are constantly in motion.

Egyptian Fruit Bats roost in tombs, temples, rock crevices, trees, and caves. They do not echolocate, find items by use of sound, very well so they are never far from the entrance when they inhabit a cave.

They may fly 20 to 25 miles a night from where they roost to their feeding grounds. The feeding grounds may change continuously as trees fruit and flower. Some colonies may make short migrations. When roosting these bats are crowded together and disputes are common and noisy.