Greater nectar bat


The greater nectar bat or greater dawn bat is a species of megabat within the genus Eonycteris. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Its range is limited and includes Luzon to Maripipi in the Philippines and scattered parts of Borneo including Tuaran and Ranau in Sabah; Bau, Kuching and Bintulu in Sarawak.

Biology and ecology

All E. major were mist-netted in sites associated with flowering banana plants found on the edge between primary forest and open or secondary habitats. An individual that was netted and banded at 22:05 on 5 July 1996 was recaptured in another net the following night at 18:50 about 30 m away. This may suggest of stable food resources at the edge or lack of feeding sites elsewhere. The area surrounding Tawau Park is covered oil palm plantations or disturbed habitats. This species usually roosts in caves and hollow trees, but there is little other information on the ecology of this species .

External measurements

At Tawau Hills in Sabah, a female was pregnant with a forearm length of 80.5 mm and weighing, the other female with FA 81.24 mm and weighing while another was lactating female with FA 78.46 mm and weighing. The measurements are consistent with those reported previously .