Samoa flying fox
Samoa flying fox | |
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Samoa flying fox in the wild | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Chiroptera |
Family: | Pteropodidae |
Genus: | Pteropus |
Species: | P. samoensis
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Binomial name | |
Pteropus samoensis Peale, 1848
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Samoa flying fox range |
The Samoa flying fox or Samoan flying fox (Pteropus samoensis) is a species of
(where it is known as pe'a and pe'a vao). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.Description
The Samoan flying fox is a medium-sized bat weighing about 450 grams (16 oz) with a wingspan of about 0.86 metres (2 ft 10 in). It has a fox-like face with a pointed muzzle, a brown body and wings and the fur on its head and shoulders is blond or silvery-grey.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The Samoan flying fox is native to Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa. Its habitat is primary or secondary moist forest, plantations, agroforest and the vicinity of villages. Unlike most flying foxes, this species roosts alone or in small family groups.[1]
Biology
This bat is mostly diurnal, making foraging expeditions in early mornings and late afternoons. The diet consists mainly of fruit but leaves, flowers and nectar are also eaten. This bat is believed to be monogamous and males defend a territory of about 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi). A single offspring is born each year, usually in May or June. The juveniles begin to fly when they are about half the size of the adults, but may remain dependent on their mothers until three-quarters of her size.[3]
Status
The
Samoan mythology
The Samoan word for the flying fox fruit bat, pe'a, is also the name of the traditional Samoan male tattoo. In
2020 American Samoa quarter
In 2018, the U.S. Mint had several candidate designs developed for the 2020 America the Beautiful National Park of American Samoa Quarter, which was in accordance with the act that authorized them. One of the designs features the familiar image of George Washington by John Flanagan, used on the quarter (heads) since 1932. The (tails) of the quarter features a Samoan fruit bat mother hanging in a tree with her pup. The image represents the remarkable care and energy that this species puts into their offspring. This design is intended to promote awareness to the threatened status of this species due to habitat loss and commercial hunting. The National Park of American Samoa is the only known park in the United States that is home to the Samoan fruit bat. The bats on the coins were designed by Richard Masters, who worked as Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Department of Art. The designs were selected by the Citizen's Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Commission on Fine Art (CFA). The coin was released to the public in February 2020, and will be followed by four other America the Beautiful quarters for the remainder of 2020.[6][7]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b Holmes, Stacie (2002). "Pteropus samoensis: Samoan flying fox". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
- ISBN 978-0-8476-9143-2.
- ISBN 978-0-8248-3066-3.
- ^ "American Samoa National Park |CCAC Images | U.S. Mint".
- ^ "2020 American Samoa Quarter Preview". 3 January 2020.