View source for Pteropus

== Pteropus ==

'''Pteropus''' (pronounced: ter-o-pus), also known as the '''flying foxes''' or '''fruit bats''', is a genus of bats which are among the largest in the world. They are native to tropical regions of Asia, Australia, East Africa, and some oceanic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

=== Etymology ===

The term '''Pteropus''' is derived from the Greek words 'ptero' meaning wing and 'pus' meaning foot, referring to the bat's webbed feet which form its wings.

=== Description ===

[[Pteropus]] are characterized by their long wings and short ears. They have a keen sense of smell and are known for their ability to fly long distances. Unlike other bats, they are not echolocating and rely on their sight to navigate.

=== Diet ===

[[Pteropus]] are frugivorous or nectarivorous, i.e., they eat fruits or lick nectar from flowers. This diet makes them important seed dispersers and pollinators, thus playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of [[Tropical rainforest|tropical rainforests]].

=== Species ===

There are about 60 species of '''Pteropus''' bats, including the [[Pteropus vampyrus|Large Flying Fox]] and the [[Pteropus rodricensis|Rodrigues Flying Fox]].

=== Health and Disease ===

[[Pteropus]] are known to be carriers of several viruses that can be transmitted to humans, including the [[Nipah virus]] and [[Hendra virus]]. However, they are not directly harmful to humans unless provoked.

=== Conservation ===

Many species of '''Pteropus''' are threatened by habitat loss and hunting. They are protected under the [[Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora|CITES]] agreement.

[[Category:Bats]]
[[Category:Animal Genus]]
[[Category:Medical Dictionary]]

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