African straw-colored flying foxes (Eidolon helvum) are found throughout forests and savannahs, and are important pollinators and seed dispersers for ecologically and economically important trees including the Iroko and the baobab. These bats form large colonies of up to one million individuals and roost in tall trees by day. At night, they fly out of the roosts in search of ripe fruits.

Cover Photo by Merlin D. Tuttle/ bci 118-6301