Rhizophora Stylosa seems to be the preferred mangrove for Bat roosts (both black (Pteropus alecto) and little Red species (Pteropus scapulatus) in the Broome area. This is probably because Rhizophora's dense shade gives them relatively cool daytime temperatures. |
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 This article - courtesy of the Broome Advertiser |
Native Animal Rescue: Broome Call Jan Martin in Broome
Nigel Jackett We have two species in Broome, the larger Black Flying-fox and smaller Little Red Flying-fox. The Black Flying-Fox is found all the time in Broome, whereas the Little Red is nomadic, so we only see them from time to time. However when they are here they can occur in vast numbers. They roost communally with the Black Flying-foxes in the mangroves in front of Chinatown and the Mangrove Hotel. They then spread out in all directions in search of food each night. The feed on eucalyptus blossom, native fruit trees and introduced fruit trees. When both species are together, you can pick them at dusk by the slight size difference as well as the speed of their wingbeats. Black has quite slow, casual wingbeats, whereas the smaller Little Red has quicker, more energetic wingbeats. When flying together it's quite a good way to identify them. Our microbat species are much more diverse. We have close to 20 species in the Broome region, with some highly specialised to mangrove life like the North-western Free-tailed Bat, while others prefer to feed on open plain or is woodland. Most around Broome roost in tree cavities and hollows as there aren't a lot of cave options for them. They all feed on insects which they find using echolocation - with each species sending out a pulse at unique frequencies (pitch), usually relating to the habitat they forage in. Species on open plains have quite low pitched calls which carry further, where as woodland species have higher pitched calls which give more accurate information back as they need to avoid crashing into trees, as well as finding food |
| Desiree Sutherland They all sleep in the mangroves, love to munch on figs, and other fruit and are super smart. Each has it's own character just like all other creatures and they have their own favourite spots they return to. They are no longer a food source for local people as they have a virus. If someone is accidentally bitten example a wildlife carer Broome hospital can treat. |
| Christine Towes They sleep in the day. Come out at sunset. Love fruit and palm fruits. Their movement is looking for food. |
Australian bat lyssavirus tests underway after Kimberly wildlife carers report uptick in flying fox callouts
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BAT REFERENCES Churchill, S. (1998). Australian Bats. New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney. McKenzie, N. and Rolfe, J. (1986). Structure of bat guilds in the Kimberley mangroves, Australia » Journal of Animal Ecology 55, 401-420. |
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