Spectacled Flying-foxes – FAQS

Recently we undertook a community survey to find out what people know, and what they want they want to know, about Spectacled Flying-foxes. Here are responses to some of the questions raised in the survey:

How many species of flying-fox live in the Wet Tropics?

Three species of flying-fox occur in the Wet Tropics: the Spectacled Flying-fox, Little Red Flying-fox and Black Flying-fox.

What are Spectacled Flying-foxes?

Spectacled Flying-foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) are large fruit bats native to north-eastern Australia. They’re easy to recognise by the light-coloured fur around their eyes – like a pair of spectacles.

Are they protected?

Yes. They are listed as Endangered under the National Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act 1999) and Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act (1992). This means it is illegal to harm, kill or disturb them without a specific permit. Their habitat areas (roosts) are also protected. They are one of Australia’s 110 priority threatened species.

Where do they live?

In Australia, they mainly live in north-east Queensland, especially in the Wet Tropics and the eastern side of Cape York. They’re also found in New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.

What is their habitat?

Spectacled Flying-foxes roost in rainforests, mangroves and tall eucalypts along waterways, flatlands, plateaus and lower hill slopes. Unfortunately, their preferred habitat often overlaps with areas that people also enjoy, which means urban development is putting pressure on their roosting sites.

Why do they move around?

Spectacled Flying-foxes are highly nomadic. Like many wild animals, they move in response to food (fruit and nectar), water, safety from predators and seasonal climate patterns.

By day, they rest in communal roosts; by night, they can travel long distances to feed. Scientists have mapped dozens of roosts across the Wet Tropics, and continue to assess habitat condition for the species.

Why do they roost in towns and cities like Cairns?

Spectacled Flying-foxes have roosted in the Cairns region since long before settlement. Today, there are more than 70 known roosts across the area including Gordonvale, Cairns North, Edmonton, and the Northern Beaches. They often return to the same roosts year after year, particularly for birthing and crèche seasons. However, they also shift seasonally depending on food availability and local climate.

Terrain NRM and James Cook University (JCU) are working together to better understand their movements and identify long-term conservation strategies.

Do they stay in one roost permanently?

No. Fewer than half of known roosts are occupied at any one time. Roosts act like “drop-in centres” – individual bats usually stay for about nine days before moving on, unless they have dependent young. Even if a site has been empty for months or years, they may return in the future.

Why are they important?

Spectacled Flying-foxes are a keystone species – vital for the health of rainforests. They pollinate trees and disperse seeds over long distances, helping to regenerate and maintain rainforest diversity.

How many are there?

Terrain NRM and JCU are currently monitoring populations using drones and AI technology to get a clearer picture of current numbers and long-term trends. Counts done between 2000 to 2019 showed numbers declined significantly, with over 23,000 deaths recorded in extreme heatwaves during 2018–19.