Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat
This species of megabat, belonging to the family Pteropodidae, is a small fruit bat native to South and Southeast Asia. Adults weigh between 21 and 32 grams (0.74–1.13 oz) and measure 70 to 127 mm (2.8–5.0 in) in length.
Highly adaptable, the lesser short-nosed fruit bat inhabits a wide range of environments, from disturbed forests and lower montane areas to tropical lowland rainforests, gardens, mangroves, and even coastal vegetation. As a frugivorous species, it feeds mainly on small, aromatic fruits—particularly mangoes—by extracting juices and soft pulp. It also supplements its diet with nectar and pollen, playing an important ecological role as a pollinator and seed disperser.
This specimen, originating from Java, Indonesia, has been meticulously prepared and mounted as a complete skeleton, elegantly displayed within a black wooden frame. It represents both a remarkable natural history piece and a fascinating insight into the delicate anatomy of this fruit bat species.