Roost-Colony protection strategy from raiding by enemies in the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius (Temminck, 1825)

Abstract

Pteropus medius roost in the open in trees. They are susceptible to attack by different predators and competing species. Roosting bats produce alarm calls in response to perceived danger. To assess anti-predator behaviors to watch the arrival of enemies, in these bats, we collected data on the directions roosting bats faced in two roost trees in West Bengal, India. It is revealed that the bats, irrespective of roost spots, are accustomed to maintaining the hanging posture facing all direction though out the day. These differences in hanging poses were statistically significant (P<0.05). We hypothesized that such orientation in hanging stance is the induced impact of anti-predator behavior to ensure vigil in all directions.