fruit bat

American  

noun

1. any fruit-eating bat, especially of the suborder Megachiroptera, of tropical regions throughout the Old World, typically having erect, catlike ears and large eyes adapted for night vision, and either tailless or with a rudimentary tail, the numerous species ranging in wingspan from 10 inches to 5 feet (25 centimeters to 1.5 meters).

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fruit bat British  

noun

1. any large Old World bat of the suborder Megachiroptera , occurring in tropical and subtropical regions and feeding on fruit Compare insectivorous bat

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Etymology

Origin of fruit bat

First recorded in 1875–80

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fruit bat

One species potentially at risk was the Bulmer's fruit bat, the centre wrote.

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

The findings, published on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Nature Communications, point to adaptations in the fruit bat body that prevent their sugar-rich diet from becoming harmful.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 9, 2024

The U.S. government removed 21 species from the endangered species list because they are now considered extinct, including the Little Mariana fruit bat, the Bachman’s warbler, and several species of birds, mussels, and fish.

From National Geographic ● Dec. 15, 2023

Endangered Species Act due to extinction, including a fruit bat, two types of fish, eight types of mussels and 10 birds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2023

One night a fruit bat flew through our window, and we hid, giggling, under the covers until it was gone.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

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