Wildlife
Common blossom bats are a type of fruit bat, but they prefer to eat nectar and pollen over fruit. As they feed, they pollinate the flowers of the rainforest trees. When food is scarce, the bats can go into torpor to save energy. They're most likely to do this in the summer, when there may be a shortage of nectar and because the short summer nights don't allow much feeding time.
Scientific name: Syconycteris australis
Rank: Species
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Bat medicine
A spoonful of sugar helps a sick blossom bat recover.
A sick common blossom bat has been brought into the expedition camp. These bats feed predominantly on nectar from flowers so the scientists feed it a sugar solution from a syringe, showing clearly how its long prehensile tongue works. A good dose of sugar soon perks the little animal up so it can be released back to find a daytime roost before it gets too hot.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Common blossom bat can be found in a number of locations including: Australia. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Common blossom bat distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Stable
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
Adapted to flying
Herbivorous
Nocturnal
Pollinator
Polygynous
Viviparous