Day 424: November 28, 2025 – Suva, Fiji
I was keeping an eye out for birds while walking through a park in Fiji, when I saw what looked like dozens of brown leaves shaking in the wind. It took me a moment to realize they weren’t leaves, they were bats. Hundreds of fruit bats–also known as flying foxes–were hanging upside down from the trees. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bat colony this big in broad daylight. I know Austin TX is famous for its bat colony, but I only saw them when they emerged from under a bridge at sunset. These guys hang out on the trees all day.
The golden-brown fur on their shoulders indicate they are the Tongan fruit bat species.
They are large creatures, with wingspans of up to 3 ft.
My preoccupation with the bats drew the attention of schoolkids visiting the park, who asked if I would take their picture. I love it when someone else asks for a picture, instead of me always asking them!
Fijian men and boys wear the traditional skirt known as sulu.
6 responses to “Flying Foxes”
I remember the first time I saw these beasties in the trees in Australia. They were HUGE compared to the bats I’d seen in the US. I was impressed, to say the least. Thanks for sharing this memory.
Yeah I remember the bats in Austin as being very small, not much bigger than a sparrow. Not these guys.
I like bats, but I would certainly be intimidated by a three-foot-wide bat.
Yeah I would be too. But they didn’t seem too interested in us humans, they mostly stayed in their lane!
Not just pictures, but stories. Great stories. Thanks!
Thanks!