Distribution: Little reds venture the furthest inland of the mainland flying-foxes and they are also the most nomadic; large numbers of individuals can form temporary camps in response to local flowering or fruiting. Camps can be found throughout much of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory with the exception of the most arid inland areas, and along the northern coast of Western Australia as far south as Shark Bay.
Appearance: Little reds are the smallest of the mainland flying-foxes. Their body fur is short and red-brown in colour, while the fur around the neck and shoulders can be a brighter red-orange. Their heads are usually a brown-grey colour. Unlike the other species, their red-brown wings appear translucent in flight, and their legs are almost hairless.
Morphometrics: Little red flying-foxes weigh 300-600g, and their head and body is 120-235mm in length
Image: Little red flying-fox. Credit: Duncan McCaskill via flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
How you can help
- Download the CAUL Urban Wildlife app. Available on Google Play or Apple Store
- Complete a quick online training session.
- Start recording flying foxes in your area. You can record individual sightings, or undertake a two part timed search - 5 minutes of listening followed by 15 minutes of looking. The timed searches will give us important information on both the presence and absence of our target species.
Species profiles
- Grey-headed flying-fox
- Black flying-fox
- Little red flying-fox
- Spectacled flying-fox
- Foraging species list